Stereological studies of the parathyroids in the young rat with hypercalcemia induced by severe phosphate depletion.

Abstract

In order to suppress the parathyroid glands by inducing hypercalcemia, young rats were fed a diet containing a low (0.02%) phosphate content. After 28 days blood samples were taken for estimation of serum calcium, phosphate and immunoreactive parathyroid hormone levels. Both parathyroids from each animal were subjected to serial sectioning so that the total glandular volume could be calculated by light microscopy. Volume and surface densities of cells and organelles were measured according to conventional stereological principles, so that the total volumes and surface areas could be estimated. Phosphate depletion caused marked growth retardation. The animals also developed hypophosphatemia, but in spite of pronounced hypercalcemia the levels of circulating immunoreactive parathyroid hormone remained unchanged. The volume of the parathyroids was reduced, but only to an extent commensurate with the reduced body mass. In the experimental group the volume density of cells was unchanged, but that of nuclei was increased; the volume density of Golgi complexes was reduced. The densities of the other cell components measured, namely the volume density of mitochondria and the surface densities of secretory cells, nuclear membranes and rough endoplasmic reticulum were unchanged. When the volumes and surfaces were expressed in absolute terms and related to total body mass, no differences between the groups were apparent.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)