ONTOGENY OF PARATHYROID HORMONE-RELATED PROTEIN IN THE OVINE PARATHYROID-GLAND

Abstract

PTH-related protein (PTHrP) has been implicated in calcium regulation during fetal life. In this study the ontogeny of PTHrP was examined in ovine parathyroid glands. Immunohistochemical techniques, Western blot analysis, and a RIA with antisera raised against synthetic fragments of human (h) PTHrP (i.e. 1-34, 1-40, 50-69, and 107-141) were used to detect the presence of immunoreactive PTHrP in parathyroid glands from fetal and neonatal lambs and maternal ewes. Positive immunostaining for PTHrP was observed in fetal (from 116 days of gestation) and lamb (up to 180 days post birth) but not maternal parathyroid glands with the PTHrP(50-69) antiserum. Fetal and lamb parathyroid glands consisted..