PARATHYROID AND GONAD RELATIONSHIP IN REGULATING BLOOD CALCIUM FRACTIONS IN CHICKENS1,2

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Abstract
Plasma diffusible calcium levels of cocks and capons with or without estrogen treatment are significantly decreased by parathyroidectomy. The level of non-diffusible calcium is increased by estrogen in sham and starved controls, but not when estrogenized birds are parathyroid-ectomized and diffusible levels are significantly decreased. Spontaneous recovery from parathyroidectomy occurs in about 6 days. Cocks and capons injected with estrogen after parathyroidectomy show no increase in non-diffusible levels when diffusible levels are still abnormally low by 4 days after the operation. Parathyroids and estrogen are suggested to be indirectly related in regulating plasma calcium of birds. The parathyroids maintain diffusible calcium at normal levels so that estrogen can increase non-diffusible calcium.