Participation of Ovarian Hormones in the Development of Nephrocalcinosis

Abstract

The nephrocalcinosis normally produced in rats by an excessive intake of NaH2PO4 is largely inhibited by ovariectomy and, even in the absence of the ovary, it is enhanced by comparatively small doses of estradiol. Apparently, the normal hormone production of the ovary suffices to augment Ca deposition in the kidney on a high phosphate intake. This effect of the natural folliculoid is shared by stilbestrol, hence it is not the steroid structure but the folliculoid effect which accounts for the sensitization to nephrocalcinosis. The enhancement of renal calcification by a given dose of estradiol is not significantly influenced by 40 times as much progesterone and is greatly aggravated by 40 times as much methyltestosterone. Although luteoids and testoids counteract many of the actions of estradiol, this does not appear to be the case as regards the nephrocalci-notic action of the folliculoid hormone.