Parathyroid hormone responsiveness in the sheep fetus and newborn lamb.

Responsiveness of the sheep fetus to parathyroid hormone (PTH) infusion was studied in the unanesthetized fetus in situ and the results were compared with those obtained in the newborn lamb, PTH, 0.5 USP U/min per kilogram body weight was infused intravenously to four sheep fetuses in utero (gestational age 127-141 days) and 10 newborn lambs (1-20 days of age). PTH infusion increased plasma Ca in the fetus and the PTH-induced hypercalcemia increased plasma calcitonin although the maternal levels of Ca and calcitonin did not change. In the fetus, as well as in the newborn lamb, PTH decreased the percentage tubular reabsorption of phosphate (TRP) and increased urinary excretion of cAMP. These results indicate that the sheep fetus has developed the target organ responsiveness to PTH and a normal calcitonin secretory mechanism by the last trimester of gestation.