Effect of stress of examination on serum cortisol level and cd4 cell count in male undergraduates at Igbinedion University, Nigeria

摘要

Aim: To assess the effect of stress of examination on serum cortisol level and CD4 cell count in young male students at Igbinedion University.Methods: A cross sectional laboratory based analysis was adopted for this study. A total of 204 male undergraduate volunteers (age 22 + 1.0 years, body mass index 23 + 0.5 kg/m2) were randomly recruited for the study. Total white blood cell (TWBC) was determined using the sysmex? Automated Hematology Analyzer. CD4 cell count was estimated using Partec cyflow counter, while serum cortisol level was determined by enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay technique.Results: There was a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the serum cortisol level at Stage A (1st day of the semester) when compared with Stage B (midway in the semester) and Stage C (morning of the examination), while there was significant decrease (P < 0.05) in the TWBC count and CD4 cell count at Stage A when compared with Stage B and Stage C.Conclusion: The stress of examination inhibits proliferation of CD4 cells with the elevation of serum cortisol as a possible mediator.?Keywords: Examination, Stress, Cortisol, CD4 cell.