African Journal of
Cellular Pathology

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SOCIETY FOR CELLULAR PATHOLOGY SCIENTISTS OF NIGERIA
  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Cell. Path
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2449-0776
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJCPath
  • Start Year: 2013
  • Published Articles: 107

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

Ehiaghe FA
  • Ehiaghe FA
  • Department of Hematology, College of Health Sciences, Igbinedion University, Okada. Nigeria.
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Digban K.A
  • Digban K.A
  • Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Health Sciences, Igbinedion University Okada, Nigeria.
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Ehiaghe IJ
  • Ehiaghe IJ
  • Lahor Research and medical centre, 121, Old Benin –Agbor Road, Benin City, Nigeria.
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  •  Received: 01 January 2014
  •  Accepted: 01 February 2014
  •  Published: 28 February 2014

Abstract

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.

 

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