Calcitonin content in the ultimobranchial gland of the snake, Elaphe climacophora: Comparison of adults, young, and hatchlings

Abstract

Hypocalcemic activity of the ultimobranchial gland of Elaphe climacophora was determined using the rat bioassay. The activity of one ultimobranchial gland of the adult females corresponds to that of 55 mU (MRC) of salmon calcitonin. The activities of one gland of the young and the hatchling are comparable to those of 17.5 and 18.0 mU of salmon calcitonin, respectively. The activity per unit body weight is extremely high (2,700 mU/kg body wt.) in the young and the hatchlings in comparison with that in the adults (460 mU/kg body wt.). © 1981.