Effect of Crude Thyrocalcitonin on Calcium and Phosphorus Metabolism in Rats.

Abstract

Summary Crude thyrocalcitonin when injected subcutaneously into rats caused a hypocalcemia accompanied by a hypophosphatemia and a phosphaturia. There was no increase in urinary calcium indicating that the kidney plays no role in the hypocalcemic response. The calcium content of the kidney fell, an effect which probably reflects the hypocalcemic response and could have clinical importance. The kidney phosphorus content as well as the calcium and phosphorus contents of the small intestine, submaxillary salivary glands, and the lens were not consistently affected by the drug. The data also support the conclusion that calcium transport in the gut plays no role in the hypocalcemic response.