Experimental Lathyrism in the Rat. Nature of Defect in Epiphysial Cartilage

Abstract

The epiphysial cartilages of rats treated with lathrogenic agents (BAPN, AAN, etc.) exhibit profound changes in their physical structure. Such alterations lead one to assume that the collagen fibers are affected. Chemical analyses fail to reveal any decrease in hydroxyproline content from the normal. Examination of sedimented fractions with the electron microscope indicates a marked reduction in the number of collagen fibrils in tissue from rats treated with AAN. It would appear that the defect is a failure of the tropo-collagen molecule to form mature collagen fibers.