Water sorption by collagen has long been studied; a few (e.g.) references follow:
V. Mohanaradhakrishnan, N. Ramanathan, "Collagen fibers. V. Moisture absorption", Leather Sci. (Madras, India), 12(8) 1965, 291-297.
P. Bhaskara Rao, Lourdu M. Yeddanapalli, "Hydration of lyophilized collagen and polypeptides", Leather Sci. (Madras, India), 17(11) 1970, 349-356.
H. Susi, J.S. Ard, R.J. Carroll, "Hydration and denaturation of collagen as observed by infrared spectroscopy", J. Amer. Leather Chem. Assoc., 66(11) 1971, 508-519.
J.R. Kanagy, "Sorption of water by collagen", Biophys. Prop. Skin, 1971, 373-391.
A.M. Manich, F. Maldonado, J. Carilla, M. Catalina, A. Marsal, "Moisture sorption/desorption of collagen", J. Amer. Leather Chem. Assoc., 105(7), 2010, 229-241.