SOME ASPECTS OF THE ROLE OF PITUITARY HORMONES IN CALCIUM METABOLISM

Abstract
Intact and hypophysecto-mized, 21-day old male rats received 0.1-0.2 mg. of growth hormone, or 0.2-1.75 mg. growth hormone/day intraperitoneally, to a total dose of 6.4 and 12.55 mg. over 22 days. The rats were sacrificed at intervals up to 24 hrs. after the intraven. injn. of Ca45. Growth hormone decreased the serum Ca45 and increased the tibial uptake of Ca45 of hypophysectomized animals and accelerated the growth of this group. It failed to affect the growth or Ca metabolism of intact rats. Urinary and fecal Ca45 excretion was unaffected by the hormone.