In the present study orthodontic force was applied to the molars of rats treated with the lathyrogen beta-aminopropionitrile (BAPN). New bone formation was measured at two alveolar locations after 9 days of force application. Observation resulted in the following conclusions: 1. New alveolar bone formation in response to orthodontic force in BAPN-treated rats statistically exceeded corresponding bone formation in control animals when measured at two tension sites in the periodontal ligament. 2. BAPN administration produced disorganization of the collagenous fibers of the periodontium of experimental animals. Multiple eosinophilic cell-free areas were found distributed throughout the radicular portions of affected periodontal ligaments. Normal ligament function architecture was disrupted in treated animals. The areas of periodontium surrounding orthodontically treated teeth exhibited relatively normal organization under these conditions, while the periodontium of adjacent nonorthodontically treated teeth was markedly disorganized. Orthodontic stimulation of the periodontium of BAPN-treated rats may have disrupted the formation of eosinophilic cell-free areas characteristically seen in the periodontium of the experimental group. 3. The present results suggest that the typical histologic response to orthodontic force application can occur in the presence of a chemically and physically altered periodontium. The quantitative data collected infer that fiber tension on the alveolus may not be absolutely necessary to stimulate bone formation. Distortion of the alveolus related to force application may be a more important factor initiating bone response. However, the fibers of the periodontium may play a passive role in transferring orthodontic force to the alveolus.