Effect of Enzymes on Mechanical Properties of Tissues

Abstract

WHILE investigating the effect of extending forces on the excised uterine cervix of the rat¹ we found that at the end of pregnancy the tissue showed prolonged extension at constant rate under low loads, behaving as if the collagenous framework in it was not continuous, as it is in the majority of tissues, but was one in which the ultimate links were viscous. In the course of investigating this viscous state we tried the effect of soaking the tissue in solutions containing trypsin. This was found to increase dramatically the rate of extension under constant load. Similar results were obtained from rings of skin cut from around the body-wall of newly born rats. Chymotrypsin was also tried on these and found to have the same effect as trypsin.