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Parathyroid hormone-related peptide increases urinary phosphate excretion in fetal lambs

M J Davicco1, V Coxam, J Lefaivre

  • 1Mineral Metabolism Unit, INRA Theix, St-Genès-Champanelle, France.

Insights

Synthetic human parathyroid hormone-related peptide fragment (hPTHrP) and bovine parathyroid hormone fragment (bPTH) affect fetal lamb phosphorus levels. hPTHrP

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Fetal Physiology
  • Mineral Metabolism

Background:

  • Parathyroid hormone (PTH) regulates calcium and phosphorus homeostasis.
  • The role of parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP) in fetal development is not fully understood.
  • PTHrP shares sequence homology with PTH and may interact with the PTH receptor.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the effects of synthetic human parathyroid hormone-related peptide fragment 1-34 (hPTHrP) and synthetic bovine parathyroid hormone fragment 1-34 (bPTH) on plasma and urinary inorganic phosphorus in fetal lambs.
  • To investigate whether the effects of hPTHrP are mediated through the PTH receptor.

Main Methods:

  • In utero chronic catheterization of fetal lambs (120-130 days gestation).
  • Intravenous infusion of bPTH (6 nmol/fetus) or hPTHrP (6 nmol/fetus) alone or with [Tyr34]bPTH(7-34)NH2 (12 nmol/fetus).
  • Measurement of plasma and urinary inorganic phosphorus, and assessment of diuresis and calcemia.

Main Results:

  • Both bPTH and hPTHrP stimulated diuresis, induced hypercalcemia, hyperphosphaturia, and hypophosphatemia in fetal lambs.
  • The effects of hPTHrP on phosphorus and calcium metabolism were inhibited by the synthetic PTH analogue [Tyr34]bPTH(7-34)NH2.
  • These findings suggest a shared mechanism of action involving the PTH receptor.

Conclusions:

  • hPTHrP exerts significant effects on mineral metabolism in the ovine fetus, similar to bPTH.
  • The inhibitory effect of the PTH analogue suggests that PTHrP may act via the PTH receptor in the fetal lamb.
  • This study provides in vivo evidence for the interaction of PTHrP with the PTH receptor during fetal development.

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