Tensile Properties of Tendon in Copper-Deficient Swine

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Abstract
Young pigs were rendered Cu deficient as demonstrated by serum Cu levels and aortic tensile properties. Tail tendons of the same pigs had normal ultimate tensile strength, elastic modulus, elastic recoil and stress-relaxation compared to controls. Lysine-derived cross-links of insoluble collagen of tendon may not be decreased in Cu deficiency, as are the analogous elastin cross-links. Such cross-linkages also may not be the limiting factor in determining tensile strength of collagen, as they appear to be in elastin.