Abstract

EFFECT OF EXAMINATION STRESS ON SERUM CORTISOL AND PLASMA ADRENALINE IN YOUNG HEALTHY MEDICAL STUDENTS

Shreya Nigoskar, Rahul Verma*, M.S. Chandel, Rajak Chanda and Prateek Prabhaker Awasthi

ABSTRACT

Background: Stress is an extremely adaptive phenomenon in human beings and cortisol is a known stress hormone. Examination has been described as a naturalistic stressor capable of affecting human health. Physical and psychological stresses can induce a wide range of immunological alterations in the cell mediated and humoral immunity. Objective: To estimate the relationship between serum cortisol and adrenaline during examination stress. Material and method: Twenty five apparently-healthy undergraduate students (aged, 18-20 years) were involved in the study. Exactly 5 ml of venous blood was collected from each subject 1 month before a major examination. A second assessment was done on the same students 2 hours before any examination .Cortisol and adrenaline were assayed using ELISA techniques. Result: There was statistically significant increase by using student „t‟-test, in serum Cortisol and plasma adrenaline in students under examination stress compared to the non examination period. Conclusion: We concluded that examination stress stimulate HPA to release Cortisol and adrenaline.

Keywords: Stress, Plasma Adrenaline, Serum Cortisol, Examinatiojn Stress.