Variation in Human Bone Collagen Turnover Among Skeletal Elements.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Understanding tissue turnover rate is crucial for isotopic analysis. The stable isotope composition of collagen is often studied in archeology and paleontology, yet bone collagen turnover rates across various skeletal elements remain underexplored. The turnover rate of various skeletal elements in humans was explored to improve the accuracy and reliability of stable isotopic studies.

Materials and methods

Bone collagen turnover rates were quantified in multiple human skeletal elements using the bomb carbon dating method. Fifty-three skeletal elements from seven donors, aged 54-78, from a human decomposition facility in Québec, Canada, were sampled.

Results

Turnover rates varied significantly among skeletal elements, ranked from slowest to fastest as follows:

SUBMITTER: Hall O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12820750 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature