EFFECT OF THYROPARATHYROIDECTOMY AND VITAMIN D UPON SERUM CALCIUM AND CITRIC ACID OF NORMAL AND NEPHRECTOMIZED DOGS

Abstract

The increase in serum Ca and citric acid that follows nephrectomy was studied in relation to the functional activity of the thyroid and parathyroid glands. Concomitant thyroparathyroidectomy and nephrectomy resulted in an increase in blood citric acid similar to that produced by simple nephrectomy. Results obtained on 8 dogs thyroparathyroidectomized and maintained on vitamin D for a few weeks before nephrectomy, yielded results which indicate that both the serum Ca and citric acid increase following nephrectomy are dependent on the thyroid-parathyroid apparatus. The parallel changes in serum Ca and citric acid produced by large doses of vitamin D suggest that its action influences the metabolism of both substances.