X-RAY-MICROANALYSIS OF CHIEF CELLS IN RAT PARATHYROID-GLAND

X-ray microanalysis was used to study the elemental composition of the rat parathyroid gland. Analyses were performed in morphologically def ined cells. Use of semi-thin cryosections allowed us to selectively an alyze cell nucleus, cytoplasm and occasionally dense granules in the c ytoplasm. The concentration of elements (mmol/kg dry weight) in chief cells of parathyroid gland were as follows: Na 83, Mg 48, P 853, S 224 , Cl 164, K 551 and Ca 10. Significantly higher phosphorus and potassi um concentrations were found in the dense granules as compared to cyto plasm of the parathyroid chief cells. Choosing rat parathyroid gland g ave the possibility to exclusively analyze chief cells. Data obtained from such a homogenous cell population will be of interest when studyi ng human parathyroid in which chief cells are mixed together with othe r types of cells.