Effects of parathyroid hormone on the osteoclastic pool, bone resorption and formation in rat alveolar bone

The osteoclast number and its relation to parathyroid hormone have been studied in rat alveolar bone by quantitative histology and fluorescent labeling. The osteoclast number decreases 60 h after parathyroidectomy and remains constant for the next 132 h. Parathyroid hormone administration to parathyroidectomized animals 96 h after the operation induces an increase in osteoclast number within 12 h to somewhat above those of control animals. The elevated osteoclast counts remain constant for 60 h then rapidly fall over the next 24 h to the level seen in untreated parathyroidectomized animals. As determined by fluorescent labeling, normal alveolar bone resorption and formation were disturbed by parathyroidectomy, such that significant bone formation occurred for only 6 days after surgery, after which a quiescent state followed.