1,25(OH)2D3 Induced Alterations in Plasma Calcium, Inorganic Phosphate, Ultimobranhial Gland and Parathyroid Gland of the Garden Lizard, Calotes Versicolor

Garden lizards Calotes versicolor were procured and given daily intraperitoneal injections of 30 pmol of 1,25(OH)2 D3/50 g body wt for 30 days. Lizards were sacrificed on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 10th, 15th and 30th day of the experiment. The plasma calcium levels of C. versicolor remain unaffected after day 1 following 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment. After day 3 the levels increase significantly which progresses up to day 10. Thereafter, the plasma calcium level tends to decrease on day 15 and the levels become normal at day 30. In 1,25(OH)2D3 injected lizards the plasma inorganic phosphate levels remain unaltered up to day 3. After day 5, the value increases significantly. This increase progresses up to day 15. On day 30, the levels become almost normal. The ultimobranchial gland exhibits hyperactivity following 5 day 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment which is expressed by an increase in the nuclear volume and weak staining response of the cytoplasm of ultimobranchial cells. After day 10, the nuclear volume is further increased and some of the cells are exhausted. Following 15 days 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment the nuclear volume records an increase and many degenerating cells are discerned. After day 30, the nuclear volume is almost normal, most cells seem to be recovered and only a few degenerating cells are noticed. After day 10 and day 15 following 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment, the parathyroid glands of C. versicolor show reduced chromaticity of nuclei and a progressive decrease in the nuclear volume of parathyroidal cells. On day 30, the nuclear volume tends to become normal and a few degenerating cells are observed.