[Structural characteristics of the thyroid and parathyroid C cells of monkeys during head-down tilt hypokinesia]

Eight monkeys Macaca rhesus were exposed to head-down tilt for 7 days and to clinostatic hypokinesia for 7 days with subsequent 12-day head-down tilt. C cells of the thyroid gland and the parathyroid glands of 5 control and 8 experimental monkeys were investigated histologically, morphometrically and electron-microscopically. On the 7th tilt day the C cell population increased, their nuclei grew significantly, synthesis activated, and secretory granules accumulated. By day 19 most C cells were in the secretion stage. Morphological signs of an increased functional activity of the thyroid gland were seen on experimental day 7 and those of the parathyroid gland on day 19, both in light and electron microscopies. Taking into account the antagonism of C cells and parathyroid glands, it can be assumed that the hypocalcemic effect of calcitonin plays a part in the stimulation of parathyroid glands during head-down tilt.