Abstract:Less is known about the effect of perinatal asphyxia on fetal and neonatal thyroid hormone levels despite their importance. Only few studies carried out so far on this subject and even these have conflicting results. Aim of our study was to compare the serum levels of thyroid hormone (FT3&FT4) and TSH in term newborns with perinatal asphyxia and in healthy term newborns at 18 to 24 hr. after birth. And to find the association between severity of hypoxic-ischemic Encephalopathy and altered thyroid hormone (FT3&FT4) and TSH levels. It was a hospital based observational, Analytical, case-control study, 32 Term babies with perinatal asphyxia (as per NNF definition) were taken as cases and 32 healthy term newborns as controls. Thyroid hormones (FT3&FT4) and TSH levels from the blood collected between 18 and 24 hr. after birth were measured by Chemiluminiscence immunoassay. The results were analysed using chi square, ANOVA and post HOC test. P value <0.05 was considered significant. Mean value of S.FT3, FT4 & TSH were significantly lower in the asphyxiated group (2.99 + 0.91, 1.47 + 0.39 & 6.61 + 3.40) than control group (5.08 + 1.01, 2. 49 + 0.57 & 14.42 + 9.32). Asphyxiated neonates presented with significantly lower mean levels of FT3, FT4 and TSH with the advancing stages of HIE. Serum concentrations of FT3, FT4 & TSH were significantly lower in asphyxiated newborns than in normal newborns. Lower levels of FT3, FT4 & TSH had significant association with advance stages of HIE.

The present study was undertaken to explore the teratogenic potential of a petroleum ether extract of Cannabis sativa administered to pregnant female albino rats orally in a dose of 50 mg/100 gm of body weight during the entire period of gestation. This dose caused decrease in body weight, stunted growth and limb deformities in all the offspring of the treated group.

The role of catecholamines in the mechanism of antiovulatory and other central effects of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) has been studied in adult healthy, non-pregnant female albino rats. It has been observed that a single dose of MPA (100 mg/kg) given intramuscularly did not cause any significant change in brain catecholamine levels after 7 days of treatment. However, there was a significant reduction in brain dopamine levels after 15 days of MPA administration. This reduction in brain dopamine levels may be responsible for the anti-ovulatory activity of MPA. Certain side effects of MPA such as amenorrhoea, galactorrhoea, breast tenderness, breast tumors, inactivity and depression may also be due to decrease in brain dopamine levels.