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Influence of Age and Calcium-free Diet on Thyroparathyroidectomized Sheep^1,2,

Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma

Results of thyroparathyroidectomy on ruminants have been confounded by diet, age, sex, pregnancy, surgical procedure and postsurgical treatment. Two trials were conducted to study the effect of age and calcium-free diet on thyroparathyroidectomized sheep. The rate of decline in serum calcium was rapid in young thyroparathyroidectomized sheep and often followed by fatal tetany, even when the animal was maintained on a normal diet. Positive calcium balance observed in the young thyroparathyroidectomized sheep indicated no appreciable effect on calcium absorption. In contrast, adult sheep were more tolerant to thyroparathyroidectomy, being capable of correcting hypocalcemia and maintaining serum calcium levels above symptomatic levels even after extended time on a calcium-free diet. In these trials neither thyroparathyroidectomy nor feeding a calcium-free diet affected serum magnesium. Serum magnesium decreased only when feed intake decreased.

² Approved by the Director, Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater.

³ Institute of Animal Sciences and Industry.

⁴ Department of Medicine and Surgery.

⁵ Present address: Royal Veterinary College, University of London, London, England.

Manuscript received 10 October 1968.