Abstract
SUMMARY: Circadian changes in mitotic activity in rat bone marrow and thymus have been demonstrated to closely parallel variations in total and ionized calcium concentrations in plasma. These fluctuations in plasma calcium concentration and tissue mitosis were abolished by parathyroidectomy. Significant changes in plasma phosphate and magnesium concentrations were also observed over the 24 h period. The evidence suggests that hour-to-hour variations in the systems controlling calcium homeostasis determine the levels of mitosis in rat bone marrow and thymus.