Ultimobranchial calcitonin of the eel, Anguilla japonica

Abstract

Calcitonin activity was demonstrated in the ultimobranchial gland of Anguilla japonica, the Japanese eel, with a wide distribution over an area involving the esophagus pericardium. Total calcitonin content was approximately 10-40 MRC u/kg body weight. Purification of eel calcitonin through gel filtration on Sephadex G-75 and SE Sephadex G-75 yielded a preparation with a potency of 1360 MRC u/mg. While this preparation is already more potent than porcine and other mammalian calcitonin, further purification is indicated.