Changes in collagen fibril diameters in a lathyritic connective tissue.

Collagen fibril diameters were measured in molar and incisor periodontal ligaments of adult rats given aminoacetonitrile (0.15% in their drinking water). Fibrils were also measured in the periodontal ligaments of pair-fed control animals and animals fed ad libitum. The lathyrogen produced a significant change in the distribution of fibril diameters in both molars and incisors and an increase in mean fibril diameter in incisors relative to pair-fed controls. The reduced food intake of the pair-fed control group produced a significant decrease in mean fibril diameter in incisors relative to the ad libitum control group. These results that lathyrogens may affect collagen fibril diameters in an adult connective tissue in a manner similar to that previously shown for a fetal tissue.