title: Changes in the mechanical properties or rat tail tendon during postnatal ontogenesis.
abstract: The ultimate tensile strength, elasticity modulus and ultimate elongation of tail tendon in rats age 1-18 months were measured with an Instron tensile apparatus. An increase in all these parameters was observed during the period of maturation, with a later levelling off of the tensile strength and the ultimate elongation. The value of the elasticity modulus attained a maximum during sexual maturation, and then decreased and stabilized.
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D004548:Elasticity; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats / Q000254:growth & development*; D013623:Tail / Q000254:growth & development*; D013710:Tendons / Q000254:growth & development*; D013718:Tensile Strength