Effects of ovariectomy on the ultrastructure of the parathyroid gland of the golden hamster.

Ultrastructural changes of the parathyroid glands of ovariectomized golden hamsters were investigated. In the parathyroid glands there is a decrease in the area of each cell occupied by the Golgi complex, in the number of prosecretory granules and in the tortuosity of plasma membrane as compared with those of the control golden hamsters. In addition, the area occupied by lipid droplets appears to be increased and the number of secretory granules in the peripheral cytoplasm and large vacuolar body appears to be decreased compared to those of the control animals. These features suggest that the synthesis and release of parathyroid hormone may be suppressed in many chief cells of the ovariectomized golden hamsters.