The removal of either 1 or both rostral parathyroids or 1, 2, or 4 caudal parathyroids in the snake, Acrochordus granulatus, had no effect on the levels of serum calcium and inorganic phosphorus. Similarly, removal of rostral and caudal parathyroids together in various combinations (maximum of 3) did not alter the serum calcium or inorganic phosphorous levels for up to 14 days. Removal of 5 parathyroid glands, however, resulted in the depletion of serum calcium and elevation of serum inorganic phosphorus levels on the 14th day. Removal of all 6 parathyroid glands caused significant hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia from the 7th day till the end of the experiment on the 28th day. Parathyroidectomy was not fatal to the snakes. Tetany was not observed at any stage of the experiment in any of the snakes operated upon. The present study shows that the parathyroid glands can regulate calcium and phosphate metabolism in the snake, A. granulatus. It further shows that as little as 1 of the 6 parathyroid glands is sufficient for maintaining the normal levels of serum calcium and inorganic phosphorus. Administration of bovine parathormone (bPTH) in the parathyroidectomized A. granulatus restored serum calcium to levels before the decrease caused by the total parathyroidectomy. This strongly suggests that the parathyroid gland of the snake, A. granulatus, secretes a parathormone-Iike factor.
Parathyroidectomy, Serum calcium, Serum phosphorus
