Fourier-transform infrared study on effects of ageing, oestrogen level and altered dietary loading on rat mandibular condylar cartilage.

Ageing, oestrogen level and altered dietary loading have a significant effect on the location and content of collagens and proteoglycans of rat MCC. Ageing significantly increased the amount of collagen content in the superior and posterior segments, being highest in the older soft-diet rats. Decreased oestrogen levels and increased dietary loading increased the amount of proteoglycan content.