A technique for the in vitro perfusion of bovine parathyroid glands.

A system for the in vitro perfusion of bovine parathyroid glands was developed. The glands were perfused at 1 ml/minute with oxygenated Hanks balanced salt solution buffered with sodium bicarbonate to a pH of 7.4 at 37 degrees C. These glands remained functionally stable for seven to eight hours. The secretory rate of immunoreactive parathyroid hormone varied inversely with the calcium concentration of 3.0 to 6.0 mg/100 and became nonsuppressible at calcium concentrations above 6.5 mg/100 ml. Therefore, the glands are thought to be responsive to stimuli. A loss of functional stability can usually be detected by an increase in perfusion pressure. The samples of effluent containing immunoreactive parathyroid hormone remained stable (immunoreactively) for six months when stored at -70 degrees C. This system provides a valid method for monitoring dynamic, minute-to-minute changes in parathyroid secretory activity.