Role of parathyroid hormone and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in the development of osteopenia in oophorectomized rats.

The effect of ovarian insufficiency on calcium metabolism has been thought to involve an increased bone resorptive effect of parathyroid hormone and possible impaired synthesis of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. In the present study a rat model allowing for controlled serum levels of parathyroid hormone and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 was used. Oophorectomy in this species is associated with increased serum levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and decreased bone mass. Although thyroparathyroidectomy increased bone mass, an increased sensitivity of bone to parathyroid hormone in oophorectomized rats was not observed. Thus the development of the osteopenia did not seem to be related to increased parathyroid hormone sensitivity or to reduced levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Exogenous 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 increased bone mass in oophorectomized as well as intact rats. Intestinal calcium transport was increased by moderate doses of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Intestinal calcium transport was also reduced by thyroparathyroidectomy and increased by the administration of parathyroid extract. A tendency for increased accumulation of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in blood in oophorectomized rats has been noted. It is suggested that the tendency to hypercalcemia in ovarian-insufficient females given 1-hydroxylated vitamin D compounds may be related to a diminished metabolism of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3.