Autoradiographic Studies of Sulfated Mucopolysaccharide Metabolism in Cartilage of Osteolathyric Rats and Chicks.

Abstract

In lathyric rats and chicks, the in vivo sulfate fixation per individual cell was equal or slightly higher than that of normal animals. Since there were more active cells in the hypertrophic plate of the lathyric rat, the overall sulfur uptake by cartilage was apparently greater. In 7-day-lathyric chicks, the plate was not hypertrophied but the sulfate uptake seemed slightly greater. In vitro Ca45 uptake by demineralized cartilage of the upper extremity of the tibia was considerably less than that of the lower extremity and also less than that of controls, indicating a more rapid utilization or turnover.