Effects of short-term treatment with CaCl2 or EDTA on the parathyroid glands in pregnant golden hamsters, with special reference to large vacuolar bodies.

The large vacuolar bodies in the parathyroid glands of pregnant golden hamsters after administration of CaCl2 or EDTA were investigated. In the parathyroid glands of the pregnant animals 15 min after administration of CaCl2, the mean serum calcium concentration was significantly high when compared to that of the control animals. In the parathyroid glands of the pregnant animals 15, 30 and 60 min after administration of EDTA, the mean serum calcium concentration was significantly low when compared to that of the control animals. In the parathyroid glands of the pregnant animals 15 min after administration of CaCl2, the percentage area occupied by large vacuolar bodies was significantly increased when compared to that of the control animals. In the parathyroid glands of the pregnant animals 15 min after administration of EDTA, the percentage area occupied by large vacuolar bodies was significantly decreased when compared to that of the control animals.