The Influence of Hormone Changes During Pregnancy on the Velocity of Collagen Aging

Abstract

The mechanical age test, with isotonic thermic contraction of tail tendon fibers of rats was modified. The registration of shortening and the inhibitory and breaking weight was measured; in some cases the liberation of hydroxyproline at thermic contraction temperature was estimated. Estradiol has a small increasing action on thermic contraction in the female and a reverse action in males. Treatment with ACTH or hydroxycortisone increases the age dependent thermic contraction. Neurotropic stress, which also increases ACTH excretion, has significant effect on the age of reaction. After inhibition of the production of 11-hydroxylated corticoids with Metopiron, ACTH still increased the age dependent thermic contraction. The increase of collagen aging during gravidities is caused by the increased production of gonadotropic and adreno-tropic hormones, which lead to an increase of sexual hormones and adrenalcorticoids.