Abstract
The low angle equatorial X-ray diffraction ( R ⋍ 30 μ m −1 ) from hydrated embryonic chick metatarsal tendon contains minima and maxima that are not seen in mature tendons. This diffraction derives from the disordered array of parallel, cylindrical fibrils of collagen of small, uniform diameter that comprise the major part of this tissue. Comparison of the positions of the minima and maxima with those expected from an array of cylinders allows estimation of the mean diameter of the cylinders and the average centre-to-centre nearest neighbour separation. It was found that in the age range from 13 to 19 days fetal, the mean diameter increased from ∼ 46 to ∼ 58 nm, whereas the mean nearest neighbour separation remained constant at ∼ 90 nm. Detailed analysis of the X-ray intensity profile of a 17 day fetal tendon indicated the presence of a paucidisperse distribution of fibril diameters with two or more discrete populations of preferred diameters separated by 10 to 12 nm.
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