In this study we investigated the calcitonin (CT) pattern both in basal conditions and after calcium infusion before and one month after oophorectomy in 17 premenopausal women. In addition, 13 oophorectomized women were randomly allocated to two groups, one given hormone replacement treatment and the other untreated, and CT response to hypercalcemia was reevaluated one year later. CT response to calcium infusion was significant only before oophorectomy and one year after estrogen-progestogen treatment, whereas there was no response one month after oophorectomy or after one year without hormone replacement therapy. Our data indicate that both estrogen secretion and replacement treatment may be important factors in CT response.

It now appears to be accepted that oestrogens and progestogens can help to prevent post-menopausal bone loss. This study accordingly evaluated vertebral bone mineral content (BMC) patterns and changes in calcitonin (CT) secretion in 12 women who had been ovariectomized in the previous 6 mth and in 12 others who had had a natural menopause, all of whom received oestrogen-progestogen replacement therapy for 12 mth. We also studied 12 oophorectomized and 21 normal-menopause women who did not receive any treatment and hence constituted the corresponding control groups.