Ultimobranchial and parathyroid glands of the pigeon Columba livia in response to 1,25(OH)₂D₃ administration

Abstract

Columba livia were given daily intraperitoneal injections of 100 pmol of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3)/100 g body wt. for 15 days. Ultimobranchial and parathyroid glands were fixed on 1st, 3rd, 5th, 10th and 15th day of the experiment. Following 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) treatment, the plasma calcium levels of pigeon remain unchanged on day 1. The levels increase significantly after day 3 which progresses up to day 10. The plasma calcium level becomes normal at day 15. The plasma inorganic phosphate levels of Columba livia injected with 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) remain unaffected up to day 3. The levels exhibit a progressive increase from day 5 to day 10. The levels become normophosphatemic at day 15. Up to day 3 following 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) treatment, there is no change in the ultimobranchial gland of Columba livia. The gland exhibits an increased activity after 5 days 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) treatment which is evident by the increased nuclear volume and weak staining response of the cytoplasm of ultimobranchial cells. After day 10, the nuclear volume depicts a further increase and a few completely exhausted cells are discerned. Following 15-day 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) treatment the nuclear volume records an increase and degenerating cells have been observed at certain places. The parathyroid glands of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3)-treated Columba livia remain unaffected up to day 5. After day 10 and day 15, there is a progressive decrease in the nuclear volume of parathyroidal cells and reduced chromaticity of nuclei has been noticed. Moreover, after 15 days few degenerating cells are observed.