The Role of the Thyroid in the Intestinal Effect of Vitamin D on Rachitic Rats

Abstract

The effect of 20 i.u. vitamin D3 on the intestinal absorption of calcium was investigated in thyroidectomized and control rachitic rats. Vitamin D3 increased both duodenal and jejunal calcium absorption in the absence of the thyroid glands. These results suggest that neither thyroxine nor calcitonin are necessary for the effect of vitamin D3 on intestinal calcium absorption.