We demonstrate that cultured human and bovine parathyroid cells incubated with all-trans-[11,12-3H]-retinol convert this tracer into all-trans- and 9-cis-retinoic acid. By using RT-PCR, cellular retinol-binding protein type I (CRBP I), cellular retinoic acid binding protein I and II (CRABP I and II), retinoic acid receptors (RARs) alpha, beta and gamma, and 9-cis-retinoic acid receptor (RXR) alpha transcripts were detected in human parathyroid cDNA. CRBP I and CRABP I expression was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Both 9-cis- and all-trans-RA were found to suppress parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion from dispersed human adenomatous parathyroid cells, which was augmented by combined treatment with 1mM RA and 100 nM 1,25 (OH)2D3. The present data establish parathyroid gland as a target for retinoids and as a site of synthesis of the hormonal forms of vitamin A (retinol), all-trans- and 9-cis-retinoic acid.