EFFECT OF PARATHYROID EXTRACT ADMINISTRATION ON PLASMA CALCIUM AND INORGANIC-PHOSPHATE LEVELS OF INTACT AND PARATHYROIDECTOMIZED GREY QUAIL, COTURNIX-COTURNIX COTURNIX LINNAEUS

Parathyroid extract (PTE) administration (25 IU/100gm body weight, sin gle injection) in intact grey quail, Coturnix coturnix coturnix, elici ted significant (P<0.01) hypercalcemia at 10 minutes which progressed (P<0.001) upto 15 minutes. Though significant (P<0.001) hypercalcemia still peresisted till 30 minutes, normocalcemia was achieved by 60 min utes. Conversely plasma inorganic phosphate (Pi) level of the intact P TE - treated birds recorded a significant (P<0.01) decline at 10 minut es. Hypophosphatemia still persisted at 30 minutes (P<0.02) but normop hos-phatemia was observed by 60 minutes of the treatment. Parathyroide ctomy (PTX) in the grey quail induced significant (P<0.001) hypocalcem ia and hyperphosphatemia at 24 hrs. Exogenous PTE administration (25 I U/100 gm body weight; single injection) in PTX birds restored the plas ma calcium (Ca) and Pi levels to the normal by 1/2 an hr.