Parathyroid hormone (PTH) mRNA in original and transplanted human adenomatous parathyroid tissue and human serum intact PTH (S-iPTH) was measured in athymic mice at 4, 7, 14, and 28 days after transplantation. Parathyroid tissue was obtained during surgery for hyperparathyroidism and implanted subcutaneously. PTH mRNA detection was done with RT-PCR followed by membrane blot and hybridisation and S-iPTH was analysed using a human specific immunoradiometric method. At 4 days, PTH mRNA was 79.6 ▒ 5.3% (mean ▒ SE) of that in original tissue whereas S-iPTH was only 5.4 ng/l. At 28 days, PTH mRNA was significantly reduced to 60.7▒4.1% whereas S-iPTH was increased to 192 ng/l. The reduced PTH mRNA expression in the transplants at 28 days may be explained by an inhibited DNA transcription. The presence of human S-iPTH in transplanted mice at 4 days may be due to cell disintegration and diffusion. The gradual increase in S-iPH during the experimental period probably reflects increased transplant cell volume and improved graft revascularisation.