Aortic fibrous components in exercised rats.

In exercised female rats, the elastin content of the thoracic and abdominal aorta decreased by 4-8% (p less than 0.05). The collagen content in the thoracic aorta, was unchanged but in the abdominal aorta was reduced by 5.2% (p less than 0.05). These results are discussed in connection with physical training.