[Structure and mechanical properties of dermatosparactic collagen (author's transl)].

Dermatosparactic calf-tail-tendon-collagen was investigated by mechanical measurements, electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction. We suppose, that the tensile strength decrease of the fibres is due to the irregular aggregation of subfibrils to fibrils. The x-ray diagram of the fibre is not influenced by state of disorder. Cyclic extension of dermatosparactic collagen leads to a higher increase in tensile strength than in the case of normal calf tendon. The effect might be due to the increase of fibril- and area-density resulting in an augmentation of crosslinks.