Abstract
This study was undertaken in an attempt to show the effect of parathyroidectomy on the calcification and ossification processes in the femoral head epiphysis of rats, through the findings obtained by a light microscope, a scanning electron microscope and an energy dispersive X-ray analyzer. A total of 256 wistar rats were used in this experiment. The rate of appearance of ossification centers of parathyroidectomized rats was higher than that of the controls at the age of 84 days (P<0.005). The apatite crystal globules were observed to deposite in the epiphyseal cartilage at the calcification stage and their sizes increased with age. The tendency was found to be slightly accelerated in the parathyroidectomized rats. The ratio of calcium to phosphorus of apatite crystal globules measured by an energy dispersive X-ray analyzer was lower in the parathyroidectomized rats (P<0.01). Earlier completion of calcification may cause higher rate in appearance of ossification centers as a consequence of parathyroidectomy.
