[Functional morphology of parathyroid cells in disorders of calcium metabolism]

Cell composition of the parathyroid gland was studied under normal conditions, after the hypo- or hyperloading with calcium gluconate and at hyperfunction. Three types of parathyrocytes were established that probably reflect different stages of their life cycle: the first--poorly differentiated cell, the second--mature differentiated cell and the third--degenerated cell. The majority of cells were represented by the parathyrocytes of the 2nd type the varieties of which reflect a non-active (A-subtype) and active (B-subtype) phases of secretion. The number of A-cells is increased under the condition of the hyposecretion and the relative number of B-cells under the condition of experimental hypersecretion.