Normal maturational changes in bone matrix, mineral, and crystal size in the rat.

Normal rat bone maturation has been studied using biochemical methods and hydrazine separation of matrix and mineral for X-ray diffraction. In the bone, the amount of mineral increases between 4 and 22 weeks of age, while in the matrix, the ratio of noncollagenous protein to collagen progressively decreases. In mineral, in the absence of serum ion changes, growth in mean crystal size appears to be the determinant of the changing ratios of calcium, magnesium, carbonate, and phosphorus, and of the increasing mineral density.