[Age-related thermodynamic and mechanical properties of the rat collagen].

The age peculiarities of cross-linking degree, thermodynamic and mechanic properties of rat tail tendon collagen fibres were investigated. It is shown that during the period from 1 to 3 months the melting temperature decreases and the enthalpy difference increases, from 3 to 24 months the melting temperature increases and the enthalpy difference decreases. The strength of fibres increases during the whole life.