Stability and the biological activity of eel calcitonin in rats

Hypocalcemic effect in rats of eel calcitonin was more persistent that that of porcine calcitonin and it was as persistent as that of salmon calcitonin I. Eel calcitonin was more stable than porcine or salmon calcitonin I when incubated in vitro with rat or human serum. Incubation in vitro with rat kidney or liver extract for 1 hour at 37 degrees C caused an almost complete inactivation of porcine calcitonin. On the other hand, both eel and salmon calcitonin I were inactivated less markedly and in the similar manner. The relationship between the hypocalcemic effect of calcitonins and the inactivation is discussed.