ABSTRACT

I. Introduction......................................................................................................................28

II. Materials and Methods................................................................................................... 29

III. Results.............................................................................................................................. 30 A. A Combination of Physiological Factors, PTH and Vitamin D3

Metabolites, as a Prerequisite for Inducing Bone Calcification In Vitro .. 30 B. Dose-Response Relationship of Calcification-Stimulating Factors............31 C. Effect on Calcification of Natural and Synthetic Vitamin D3 Analogues

Other Than la , 25-(OH)2D3 and 24R,25-(OH)2D3 ...................................... 33 D. Ossification Stages Regulated by Their Own Different Combination of

Vitamin D3 Metabolites and P T H ................................................................... 33 E. No Effect of Calcitonin on Bone Calcification In V itro .............................34

IV. Discussion........................................................................................................................35