Effect of a calcium rich environment on the ultimobranchial gland of Rana tigrina.
Thirty two specimens of Rana tigrina were divided into four equal groups : group I = controls; group II = injected with Vitamin D2 and placed in a 0.8% aqueous solution of CaCl2; group III = injected with Vitamin D2 and kept in tap water; group IV = placed only in a 0.8% CaCl2 solution. The experimental specimens exhibited varying degrees of hyperactivity of their ultimobranchial gland. Specimens from all the groups were X-rayed. The experimental ones showed different intensity of calcium deposit in their paravertebral lime sacs. The results indicate that prolonged challenge of high calcium induces hyperactivity of the ultimobranchial gland to produce larger quantity of calcitonin, to counteract the experimental hypercalcemia.
D000818:Animals; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000378:metabolism; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011898:Ranidae; D014460:Ultimobranchial Body / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D014807:Vitamin D
D014807:Vitamin D; D002116:Calcitonin; D002118:Calcium