The Influence of the Internal Secretions of the Ovary on the Calcium Blood Level and on Calcium Metabolism

Abstract

1. An ovarian extract has been prepared, which, when administered to animals, produces a fall in blood calcium. 2. The active principle has been found to be present in extracts of liquor folliculi, residual ovary, and corpus luteum. It is also present in placenta. 3. The fall in blood calcium amounts in typical cases to 30–35 percent. of the normal value. The blood calcium cannot generally be reduced any lower than this by increasing or repeating the dose. 4. The maximum fall in blood calcium is usually produced in about twenty‐four hours, and it returns to normal in forty‐eight hours. 5. The action of the hormone on the blood calcium is the same in both sexes. 6. The extract is active when administered subcutaneously or intraperitoneally. It is also active on oral administration when the dose is considerably increased. 7. Injection of the extract as an emulsion in distilled water is inactive. It is active when dissolved in olive‐oil or weak sodium bicarbonate solution. 8. The result of ovariotomy in rabbits is the production of wide fluctuations in the blood calcium level. 9. The action of the ovarian hormone on the blood calcium is suggested as a means for standardisation. 10. It is suggested that the mode of action of the ovarian hormone is by influencing other endocrine glands. We desire to express our thanks to the Research Grant Board of this University for meeting portion of the expense involved in these researches; and also to Professors W. A. Jolly and E. S. Edie for their interest in the work.

A Study of Calcium Metabolism in the Human Female

“…12.5 (10) 11.6 (3) 11. 11.07 (8) 11.0 (6) 14-0 (1) 14.46 (1) 10-1(1) 13.1(4) 11.5 (2) (1) 11.4 (7) 10-1 (2) Post-menstrual Phase. 11-6 (10) 9.5 (2) 10.5 (1) 10-4(10) 11.2 (8) 11.0(7) In the above protocol the menstrual eycle has been divided into throe phases for convenience; the menstrual phase consists of four days, while both prenien.striml and post-menstrual phases comprise twelve days each, thus making; a total of twenty-eight days for the complete cycle.…”