Gingival collagen biosynthesis in mongolism

Collagen biosynthesis, as measured by conversion of 3–4 3H‐proline to 3H‐hydroxyproline, was studied in excised gingival samples utilizing an in vitro tissue slice incubation technique. Samples of clinically normal gingiva and gingiva affected by periodontitis were studied in ten mongoloid patients and eleven non‐mongoloid mentally normal patients. High 3H‐proline uptakes were found in all samples of mongoloid gingiva indicating a high level of collagen synthesis. A possible metabolic block in collagen maturation is suggested as an etiologic factor in the severe form of periodontitis observed.