Summary
Kittens with an immature skeleton fed exclusively a calcium-deficient beef heart diet for 1 to 14 weeks developed hypocalcemia, parathyroid hyperplasia, and generalized osteitis fibrosa. Initial ultrastructural changes in the stimulated parathyroid glands were observed after 1 week and consisted of increased cytoplasmic volume, aggregation of the granular endoplasmic reticulum, and enlargement of the Golgi apparatus associated with increased numbers of prosecretory granules. After 3 weeks, chief cell hyperplasia was first observed and the numbers of mature secretory granules were greatly reduced. The hyperactive chief cells remained degranulated until the termination of the experiment. Stimulated chief cells accumulated glycogen in excess of controls and contiguous chief cells had intricately interdigitated plasma membranes. The parathyroid glands of experimental cats after being fed the low calcium diet for 14 weeks contained primarily hyperactive and vacuolated light chief cells with an occasional transitional water-clear cell.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Capen, C. C., A. Koestner, and C. R. Cole: The ultrastructure, histopathology, and histochemistry of the parathyroid glands of pregnant and nonpregnant cows fed a high level of vitamin D. Lab. Invest. 14, 1809–1825 (1965).
—, and D. M. Young: The ultrastructure of the parathyroid glands and thyroid parafollicular cells of cows with parturient paresis and hypocalcemia. Lab. Invest. 17, 717–737 (1967).
Davis, R., and A. C. Enders: Light and electron microscope studies on the parathyroid gland. In: The parathyroids, ed. by R. O. Greep and R. V. Talmage, p. 76–93. Springfield (Ill.): Ch. C. Thomas 1961.
Elliott, R. L., and R. B. Arhelger: Fine structure of parathyroid adenomas with special reference to annulate lamellae and septate desmosomes. Arch. Path. (Chic.) 81, 200–212 (1966).
Engfeldt, A. B., J. Hellström, B. Ivemark, and J. Rhodin: Elektronmikroskopi och histokemi vid parathyreoideaadenom. Nord. Med. 61, 55–559 (1959).
Fujimoto, Y., K. Matsukawa, H. Inbushi, M. Makamatsu, and H. Satoh: Electron microscopic observations of the equine parathyroid glands with particular reference to those of equine osteodystrophia fibrosa. Jap. J. vet. Res. 15, 37–51 (1967).
Holzmann, K., u. R. Lange: Zur Zytologie der Glandula parathyreoidea des Menschen. Weitere Untersuchungen an Epithelkörperadenomen. Z. Zellforsch. 58, 759–789 (1963).
Jowsey, J., and L. G. Raisz: Experimental osteoporosis and parathyroid activity. Endocrinology 82, 384–396 (1968).
Krook, L., and J. E. Lowe: Nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism in the horse with a description of the normal equine parathyroid gland. Pathologia Veterinaria 1, Suppl., 1–98 (1964).
Marshall, R. B., D. K. Roberts, and R. A. Turner: Adenomas of the human parathyroid. Light and electron microscopic study following selenium 75 methionine scan. Cancer (Philad.) 20, 512–524 (1967).
Melson, G. L.: Ferric glycerophosphate-induced hyperplasia of the rabbit parathyroid gland. An ultrastructural study. Lab. Invest. 15, 818–835 (1966).
Nakagami, K.: Comparative electron microscopic studies of the parathyroid glands. 11. Fine structure of the parathyroid gland of the normal and the calcium chloride treated mouse. Arch. histol. jap. 28, 185–205 (1967).
Roth, S. I.: Pathology of the parathyroids in hyperparathyroidism. Arch. Path. (Chic.) 73, 495–510 (1962).
—, and B. L. Munger: The cytology of the adenomatous, atrophic, and hyperplastic parathyroid glands of man. A light and electron microscopic study. Virchows Arch. path. Anat. 335, 389–410 (1962).
—, and L. G. Raisz: Effect of calcium concentration on the ultrastructure of rat parathyroid in organ culture. Lab. Invest. 13, 331–345 (1964).
—: The course and reversibility of the calcium effect on the ultrastructure of the rat parathyroid gland in organ culture. Lab. Invest. 15, 1187–1211 (1966).
Rowland, G. N., C. C. Capen, and L. A. Nagode: Experimental hyperparathyroidism in young cats. Pathologia Veterinaria Submitted for publication. 1968.
Scott, P. P.: Minerals and vitamins in feline nutrition. In: Canine and feline nutritional requirements, ed. by O. Graham-Jones, p. 76–78. New York (N.Y.): Pergamon Press Ltd. 1965.
Sherwood, L. M.: Relative importance of parathyroid hormone and thyrocalcitonin in calcium homeostasis. New Engl. J. Med. 278, 663–670 (1968).
Sherwood, L. M., J.T. Potts, Jr., A.D. Care, G. P. Mayer, and G. D. Auerbach: Evaluation by radioimmunoassay of factors controlling the secretion of parathyroid hormone. Nature (Lond.) 209, 52–55 (1966).
Szilágyi, G., I. Benedeczky, and K. Lapis: Multiple parathyroid adenoma. Clinical, histological and electron microscopical studies. Acta med Acad. Sci. hung. 23, 125–138 (1967).
Weymouth, R. J., and M. N. Sheridan: Fine structure of human parathyroid glands: normal and pathological. Acta endocr. (Kbh.) 53, 529–546 (1966).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This investigation was supported in part by the Morris Foundation and grant GM 1052, National Institutes of Health, United States Public Health Service. The authors wish to acknowledge the technical assistance of Mr. D. Q. Davis and Mr. O. R. Kindig.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Capen, C.C., Rowland, G.N. Ultrastructural evaluation of the parathyroid glands of young cats with experimental hyperparathyroidism. Zeitschrift für Zellforschung 90, 495–506 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00339498
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00339498