Hydroxyproline is an amino acid specific of collagen, so that any changes in its urinary concentration is a proof of the metabolical changes of collagen. 2. The basic value of hydroxyproline in rats investigated by us was of 270 +/- 49 mug/24 hours. 3. The total irradiation with 700 r induced a marked increase of urinary hydroxyproline, beginning after 24 hours and with a maximum level after 48 hours.