Effect of calcitonin on salivary phosphorus and calcium excretion in sheep

Three thyroidectomized sheep were infused intravenously with porcine calcitonin at a rate of 30 mi.u./h per kg and three sham-operated sheep were infused with vehicle for 5 h. Saliva was collected from the left parotid duct by cannulation for 10 min in every hour. Salivary secretion rates were not changed in either thyroidectomized or sham-operated sheep throughout the experiment. Before the infusion, salivary phosphorus excretion was less in thyroidectomized sheep than in sham-operated animals. Calcitonin infusion increased salivary phosphorus excretion and decreased serum phosphorus concentrations in thyroidectomized sheep. Vehicle infusion did not affect salivary phosphorus excretion in sham-operated sheep. Serum concentrations and salivary excretion of calcium were decreased by calcitonin infusion into thyroidectomized sheep but were not changed in sham-operated sheep infused with vehicle. Calcitonin infusion increased serum parathyroid hormone concentrations in thyroidectomized sheep after the decrease of serum calcium concentrations. However, vehicle infusion did not affect serum parathyroid hormone concentrations in sham-operated sheep. There was little change of cyclic AMP excretion during the experiment in either thyroidectomized or sham-operated sheep. It is concluded that calcitonin increases salivary phosphorus excretion in sheep.