It was found that the ageing process is accompanied by significant changes of elastin content in human intervertebral discs. In the case of annuli fibrosi only a slight age-related increase during the first four decades of life followed by a decrease in later periods of life were observed. In the case of nuclei pulposi the changes were much more apparent. A systematic decrease in elastin: collagen ratio was observed, especially in the case of nuclei pulposi. An increase in elastin: GAGs ratio was observed during the first 4 decades of life. After that period no further changes of the ratio were found.