The ultrastructural localization of calcium in the avian shell gland

Abstract

Fluctuating concentrations of calcium in the blood supplying the avian shell gland are not reflected at tissue level. Analyses of oviducal mucosa throughout the laying cycle show that the concentration of calcium remains relatively unaltered even at peak activity thereby implying a rapid transfer process. These experiments describe the use of potassium pyroantimonate as a localizing agent. The precipitate produced by injecting the latter via the aorta was identified as calcium pyroantimonate by electron diffraction and the efficiency of the precipitant estimated by neutron activation analysis of eggshells present in the shell gland at the time of operation. Results indicate that calcium is transferred across the surface epithelial cells of the shell gland (tubular and pouch regions). Its localization in the former is taken as an indication of the involvement of this region in the production of the mammillary mantle.