Effects of glucocorticoid on the ultrastructure of the mouse parathyroid gland.

Ultrastructural changes in the parathyroid glands of dexamethasone-treated mice were examined. Many chief cells of the treated mice contained a decreased number of prosecretory granules, secretory granules and storage granules, and an increased number of lipid droplets, compared with the control mice. In addition, myelin-like structures associated with cisternae of the granular endoplasmic reticulum were observed in the parathyroid glands of the treated mice. These findings suggest that cellular activity of the parathyroid gland may be suppressed by dexamethasone.