1. By Taylor Kudirka

2.  Calcitonin is a hormone known to participate in calcium and phosphorus metabolism.  In mammals calcitonin is the C cells in the thyroid gland.

3.  Calcitonin was first purified in 1962 by Chopp and Cheney.  At first they believed it was a secretion of the parathyroid glands and was later identified as the secretion of the C-cells of the thyroid gland.

4.  This hormone participates in calcium and phosphorous metabolism.  Calcitonin counteracts the parathyroid gland.

5.  1. Inhibits calcium absorption by the intestines.  2. Inhibits osteoclast activity in bones.  3. Inhibits renal tubular cell reabsorption of calcium allowing it to be secreted into the urine.

6.  Calcitonin is a polypeptide hormone of 32 amino acids.  It weights about 3454.93 daltons.  Its structure comprises a single alpha helix.

9.  Calcitonin can be used as a tumor maker for medullary thyroid cancer.  It can also be used on biopsy samples to establish whether they are metastasis of the original cancer.

10. Calcitonin is secreted from the thyroid glands

11.  Calcitonin is very important for women because it helps protect against calcium loss during pregnancy and lactation.

12. The End