Summary
Cortical bone collagen was obtained by decalcifying femoral bones from 2-,5-,15-, and 25-month-old male rats. Collagen specimens were cut longitudinal to the long axis of the femur and tested mechanically. The maximum load (ultimate strength) and maximum slope of the load-strain curve (maximum stiffness) were found to decrease with age. The age-related reduction in the mechanical parameters resulted from a change in the mechanical strength of the constituent collagen and a change in the morphology of the bone tissue.In vitro aging, produced by incubating for 0–5 months, did not change the mechanical strength of bone collagen specimens obtained from 2-month-old rats. The changes in the mechanical characteristics of bone collagen, accompanyingin vivo andin vitro aging are the opposite of those observed in soft tissue collagen. In the latter there is an increase in the mechanical strength duringin vivo andin vitro aging.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Stoltz M, Furthmayr H, Timpl R (1973) Increased lysine hydroxylation in rat bone and tendon collagen and localization of the additional residues. Biochim Biophys Acta 310:461–468
Burstein AH, Zika JM, Heiple KG, Klein L (1975) Contribution of collagen and mineral to the clastic-plastic properties of bone. J Bone Joint Surg 57-A:956–961
Lees S, Davidson CL (1977) The role of collagen in the elastic properties of calcified tissues. J Biomech 10:473–486
Bell GH, Khogali A, Sharma DN (1962) Quantitative studies on the suppression of skeletal lesions in rats produced by β-aminopropionitrile. Q J Exp Physiol 47:244–251
Spengler DM, Baylink DJ, Rosenquist JB (1977) Effect of β-aminopropionitrile on bone mechanical properties. J Bone Joint Surg 59-A:670–672
Opsahl W, Zeronian H, Ellison M, Lewis D, Rucker RB, Riggins RS (1982) Role of copper in collagen crosslinking and its influence on selected mechanical properties of chick bone and tendon. J Nutr 112:708–716
Rosenquist JB, Baylink DJ, Spengler DM (1977) The effect of β-aminopropionitrile (BAPN) on bone mineralization. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 154:310–313
Vogel HG (1978) Influence of maturation and age on mechanical and biochemical parameters of connective tissue of various organs in the rat. Connect Tisue Res 6:161–166
Danielsen CC (1981) Mechanical properties of reconstituted collagen fibrils. A study on reconstitution methodology and influence ofin vitro maturation. Connect Tissue Res 9:51–57
Danielsen CC, Gottrup F (1981) Healing of incisional wounds in stomach and duodenum. Collagen synthesis. Eur Surg Res 13:194–201
Ream LJ, Hull DL, Scott JN, Pendergrass PB (1983) Fluoride ingestion during multiple pregnancies and lactations: microscopic observations on bone of the rat. Virchows Arch (Cell Pathol) 44:35–44
Eyre DR, Paz MA, Gallop PM (1984) Cross-linking in collagen and elastin. Ann Rev Biochem 53:717–748
Fowler LJ, Bailey AJ (1972) Current concepts of the cross-linking in bone collagen. Clin Orthop 85:193–206
Glimcher MJ, Krane SM (1968) The organization and structure of bone, and the mechanism of calcification. In: Gould BS (ed) Treatise on collagen, part B. Academic Press, London, New York, p 67
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Danielsen, C.C., Andreassen, T.T. & Mosekilde, L. Mechanical properties of collagen from decalcified rat femur in relation to age andin vitro maturation. Calcif Tissue Int 39, 69–73 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02553293
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02553293