Effect of estradiol-17 on collagen biosynthesis, degradation and re-utilization in vivo

The effects of estradiol-17beta on total body collagen metabolism were studied in adult female guinea pigs in which all collagen had been prelabelled by the chronic administration of -Lproline during the period of rapid growth. Estradiol-17beta produced a decrease in collagen biosynthesis in skin in the presence of normal or increased collagen degredation. Total carbon-14 label was unchanged in skin and in the granuloma. Estradiol-17beta did not inhibit collagen biosynthesis in the granuloma; the content of soluable collagen was reduced. Total uterine weight, collagen and noncollagenous protein were increased by estradiol-17beta, and the total carbon-14 label was markedly increased. The wet weight and the dry, defatted weight of metaphyseal bone were increased by estradiol and the specific activity of hydroxyproline in collagen and proline in the noncollagenous protein was increased.