Relation between Ca metabolism and ATPase activities in the subcellular fractions from duck eggshell gland mucosa after DDE administration during different stages of eggshell formation.

The ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake by and the Ca2+-Mg2+-activated ATPase activity in the subcellular fractions from the eggshell gland of two varieties of ducks, Indian Runner ducks (IRD) and the cross-breed of Swedish and Rouen ducks (SRD), showed functional changes during eggshell formation in relation to the values in the resting state. DDE inhibited the Ca2+ uptake (Ca) but increased the Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase activity (P) of fractions from active but not of those from resting glands. DDE reduced the Ca/P ratio of several fractions from active glands. DDE inhibited the functional increase in Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase in the IRD homogenate, however. The effect of DDE on the eggshell index of mature eggshell was greater in IRD than in SRD, the reason for this being that the effect was exerted during a shorter time period in the latter variety.