Foetal connective tissue regeneration. A biochemical study in rabbits.

Foetal connective tissue regeneration was studied by implanting 3 x 10 mm cylindrical viscose cellulose sponges subcutaneously in foetal, newborn, and full-grown rabbits. The implants were removed 2 to 7 days later, the foetal implants all being removed after delivery, and were analysed biochemically. In foetal implants a rapid accumulation of soluble forms of collagen took place, while the relative amount of other tissue proteins remained rather low. Connective tissue regeneration of the newborns ressembled, in this respect, that of the full-growns. The results suggest an enhanced production of miniature type collagen in the context of foetal connective tissue regeneration.