Vol. 8, Issue 5, Part A (2023)

96 female Sprague-drawly rats of 21 days old were divided into 8 groups with twelve rats in each group. Methimazole (0.02 %) was administered for induction of Hypthyroidism and its effects were ameliorated with Shilajt and Withania somnifera @100 mg /Kilo gram body wt. for 3 months. At the end of 3 months, lipid and thyroid profiles were analysed from serum. In each group 6 rats were sacrificed. Heart was collected for molecular studies and estimation of oxidative stress in homogenates. Rest, 48 female rats were mated with 24 euthyroid adult males and all the pregnant rats were administered with drugs as above. The rats after 21 days were then sacrificed and heart was collected for histopathological studies. The glutathione, serum T3 and T4 concentrations, in hypothyroid group were significantly (p<0.05) lower and total cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoproteins, thiobarbituric acid reacting substances and protein carbonyls and serum TSH was significantly (p<0.05) higher than other groups. In group II, section of heart in both parent stock and F1 generation similar lesions with mild degree of variation were noted. The lesions observed were congestion, haemorrhages in endocardium and myocardium. Separation of muscle bundles and the pattern of arrangement varied. Edema, MNC infiltration and proliferation of fibroblasts were noted.