Influence of parathormone on C cells, parathyroid glands, serum calcium and serum phosphate levels in the house shrew, Suncus murinus.
A chronic hypercalcaemia was induced in Suncus murinus by the daily subcutaneous injections of parathormone for 15 days. Serum calcium increased 4 hours after the first injection (+ 0.88 mg/100 ml), it reached its highest value on day 10 (+ 2.18 mg/100 ml), and then decreased slightly at the end of the experiment (day 15). The serum phosphate level in treated animals showed a progressive fall throughout the experiment. Serial sections of thyroid-parathyroid complex were subjected to selective staining for C cells identification. The chronic hypercalcaemia increased the number of C cells. This was supported by the presence of mitotic figures. Degranulation of the secretory material was observed as the result of the chronic hypercalcaemia; degenerative changes were found in some C cells. The chronic hypercalcaemia also inhibited the activity of parathyroid "Chief-Cells" which ultimately degenerated.
D000818:Animals; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000502:physiology; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D010280:Parathyroid Glands / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010710:Phosphates / Q000097:blood*; D012788:Shrews / Q000378:metabolism*; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*
D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D010710:Phosphates; D002116:Calcitonin; D002118:Calcium