Time-related changes in the ultrastructure of osteoclasts after injection of parathyroid hormone in young rats

Summary The effects of parathyroid hormone (PTH) on the size of the osteoclasts, nuclei, ruffled borders, and clear zones in long bones of thyroparathyroidectomized (TPTX) rats were quantitated as a function of time. These data were compared with the number of osteoclasts in the bone and with plasma calcium levels. A significant increase in the average size of the ruffled borders was demonstrated 30 min after injection of 50 U of purified bovine PTH, and of the clear zones 30–90 min after PTH. This was followed at 90 min by an increase in the average size of the cells. The sizes of ruffled borders and clear zones dropped sharply to control levels after 6 h, whereas the size of the cells remained elevated up to 12 h and returned to control values at 24 h. Plasma calcium levels were increased, but not significantly, between 30 min and 6 h. An increase in the number of osteoclasts was significant after 12 h. Removal of the parathyroid glands did not diminish the normal activity of osteoclasts. In animals with intact glands injection of 50 U of PTH did not cause a significant change in cell size or resorbing apparatus. It is concluded that PTH acts to rapidly stimulate the bone resorptive activity of osteoclasts and to cause a delayed increase in their number.