Effect of Age upon Collagen and Hexosamine Content of Rat Skin.

Abstract

The concentration of hexosamine and hydroxyproline relative to that of nitrogen was measured in the skin of rats ranging from 50 to 500 g. These animals were grouped into 7 weight catagories of 6 animals each. The ratio of hexosamine to hydroxyproline content of the skin decreased with rat size up to a mean body weight of 330 g. Above this weight however, the ratio increased. The effect of rat size upon the concentration of hexosamine relative to nitrogen closely paralleled this response. The effect of animal weight upon the hydroxyproline concentration of rat skin closely paralleled the effect upon total nitrogen. A description of micromethods for the determination of hydroxyproline, hexosamine and nitrogen in as little as 200 mg of tissue is included.