Collagen synthesis, collagen concentration and collagen content were studied 5, 7, 10, 20 and 40 days postoperatively to elucidate the turnover of collagen in healing incisional wounds in rat stomach and duodenum. Collagen synthesis was elevated relative to total protein synthesis in wound tissues compared to intact tissues and increased throughout the period with peak values at day 5. Also, collagen concentration increased while collagen content remained constant implying equal rates of collagen synthesis and degradation. This shows that the prime tissue response to wounding is changes in collagen metabolism, which correlates with mechanical strength gain.