Effects of Porcine Thyrocalcitonin on Serum Calcium, Phosphorus And Magnesium in the Monkey and in Man.

Abstract

Summary The effects of subcutaneous administration of a crude extract of porcine thyrocalcitonin on serum calcium, phosphorus and magnesium were studied in 5 rhesus monkeys and in 3 normal human subjects. Thyrocalcitonin lowered serum calcium in each of the monkeys and normal subjects but did not change serum magnesium. Changes in serum phosphorus were the same as those in control studies. Extracts from human thyroid glands showed calcium-lowering activity in rats. These findings together with those from other laboratories support the view that thyrocalcitonin plays a role in the physiological control of calcium metabolism in man.