Effect of calcitonin on calcitonin cells, parathyroid glands and serum electrolytes in the house shrew (Suncus murinus).
Porcine calcitonin (CT) (0.5 MRC unit daily) was administered intraperitoneally to house shrews, Suncus murinus, for 42 days. The changes in serum calcium and phosphate levels as well as the light microscopical alterations of the parathyroid and calcitonin cells (C cells) between the 1st and 42nd day of treatment were recorded. The serum calcium level shows a fall up to the 7th day of treatment and thereafter it increases to normal values. The hypophosphataemic effect of CT increases progressively throughout the experiment continuing even after the loss of the hypocalcaemic effect. CT administration inhibits the release of secretory granules of C cells up to 21 days. Hyperplasia and degranulation of C cells is observed at 28, 35 and 42 days of treatment. C cells with collapsed membrane are also encountered in the lumina of the thyroid follicles. From the 28th day onwards the parathyroid chief cells of treated animals show hypertrophy and loss of staining reaction.
D000818:Animals; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood*; D010280:Parathyroid Glands / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D010710:Phosphates / Q000097:blood*; D012788:Shrews / Q000502:physiology*; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000166:cytology; D013997:Time Factors
D010710:Phosphates; D002116:Calcitonin; D002118:Calcium