[Reflex reactions of the spinal cord in hypoparathyroidism].

Experiments were carried out on parathyroprival cats with varying degree of motor disorders. Disturbed reflex activity of the spinal cord was characterized by activation of motoneurons and the system of intercalary neurons, abatement of the phenomenon of posttetanic potentiation as well as by conductivity facilitation in the reflex arch. Marked tetany was accompanied by diminution and, in some cases, by complete absence of monosynaptic responses with enhancement of polysynaptic reflex discharges. After intravenous injection of calcium chloride the test animals showed a tendency to recovery of the reflexes recorded. It is concluded that the disordered functional state of the spinal cord segmental apparatus is mainly due to hypocalciemia and may be one of the causes of parathyroprival tetany.