Connective Tissue XI. Factors Affecting Collagen Synthesis by Rat Uterine Slices. ∗

Summary

1. Factors affecting collagen synthesis in vitro have been studied in uterine slice systems of the rat. 2. The results agree well with those of our previous report concerned with collagen synthesis in sponge biopsy connective tissue. Elimination of NaCl from the incubation medium was accompanied by a more striking decrease in collagen synthesis than followed the removal of any other constituent. Elimination of KH₂PO₄ from the incubation medium caused a significant decrease in collagen synthesis. Maximal collagen synthesis occurred when the starting pH was 8.4 and the gas in the incubation vessels was composed of 95% oxygen and 5% carbon dioxide. 3. Optimum temperature for keeping tissue prior to incubation was 0°. Optimum incubation temperature was 37°. 4. Collagen synthesis reached a peak in uterine slices obtained from animals at the height of follicular hormonal activity.