EFFECT OF PORCINE, SALMON AND HUMAN CALCITONIN ON URINARY EXCRETION OF SOME ELECTROLYTES IN SHEEP

Abstract

SUMMARY Purified porcine and salmon calcitonin and synthetic salmon and human calcitonin were infused at the rate of 20 MRC mu./kg/h over a 96 h period in intact male lambs. Every calcitonin preparation significantly increased the urinary excretion of inorganic phosphorus, sodium, potassium and calcium, while the urinary excretion of magnesium was always significantly inhibited. Similar significant effects were observed with purified porcine calcitonin in thyroparathyroidectomized lambs supplemented with thyroxine. Oxidation of calcitonin with performic acid completely abolished its effects on plasma calcium and on the kidney. It is concluded that, when used at physiological doses, in sheep calcitonin has an important effect on urinary excretion of inorganic phosphorus, sodium and magnesium.