Calcitonin Produces Hypercalcemia in Leopard Sharks*

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Abstract
Calcitonin was detected by radioimmunoassay in sera from 4 murine species, leopard sharks (T. semifasciata), horn sharks (Heterodontus francisci), thornback rays (Platyrhinoides triseriata) and kelp bass (Paralabrax clathratus). These animals have levels of calcitonin and Ca higher than freshwater and terrestrial species have. The administration of salmon calcitonin to bass (4 .mu.g/kg body wt) produced hypocalcemia and hypophosphatemia as has been reported for other bony vertebrates. Calcitonin produced a prompt hypercalcemia in sharks; the average was 9.8% increase in serum Ca in 9 animals with no attendant change in P. Calcitonin can increase serum calcium in sharks. Because shark skeleton is composed of cartilage, this hypercalcemic effect of calcitonin does not require a bony skeleton.

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