Influence of reserpine on high calcium perfusion of thyro-parathyroid glands in dogs.

Perfusion of the thyro-parathyroid glands in the dog with calcium-rich blood led to a significant decrease (P less than 0.001) in the systemic plasma calcium level. On the other hand, injection of reserpine (0.2 mg/kg ip) 16 and 2 h prior to infusion of hypercalcemic blood into thyro-parathyroid glands did not alter the systemic plasma calcium level significantly (P less than 0.05). This result provides evidence that reserpine blocks the release of hypocalcemic factor from the thyro-parathyroid glands in response to perfusion of high concentrations of calcium.