THE VALUE OF ACTEROL (IRRADIATED ERGOSTEROL) IN THE TREATMENT OF THYROPARATHYROIDECTOMIZED DOGS

Abstract

Acterol (irradiated ergosterol) in 0.4 cc. dosage corresponding to 40 cc. of cod liver oil was given to 10 dogs after parathyroidectomy. The diet consisted daily of 400-500 cc. of milk, 130-150 gm. kibbled dog cake, and 250 gm. hamburger steak twice a week. Acterol given either intravenously or intramuscularly was of little benefit in relieving acute tetany in 3 dogs. In 7 dogs given acterol from the day of operation, tetany was less severe than in the 3 given it only in acute tetany. Six of the former group made a complete recovery in 15-30 days. In the animals which were given acterol and had recovered from tetany, serum Ca returned to normal. Two of these 6 animals developed tetany and died following a pneumonic infection. It would seem that acterol which supplies a rich source of vitamin D is efficacious in ameliorating tetany and restoring parathy-roidectomized dogs to normal in a large percentage of instances.