Factors Affecting Metabolism of Muscle Collagen. II. Effect of Radiation Exposure. ∗

Summary

1. C¹⁴-activity of muscle collagen was measured in x-irradiated and sham-irradiated rats given glycine-2-C¹⁴ and glucose-U-C¹⁴ prior to exposure. 2. Whole body x-irradiation resulted in reduction of isotope concentration of collagen in animals given glycine-2-C¹⁴ but caused an increase in isotope concentration when glucose-U-C¹⁴ had been administered. 3. It is concluded that x-irradiation and aging have similar over-all effects on collagen metabolism when studied with above-mentioned C¹⁴-labeled precursors.