Surriyya Sarwat, Sadia Qazi, Dur E Shawar Rehman, Farah Malik.
Comparison of Steroidogenesis Under Acute and Chronic Stresses in Albino Rats.
Ann Jinnah Sindh Med Uni Jan ;3(1):2-5.

Objective: To compare the steroidogenesis by the adrenal gland of rats between control, acute, and chronic heat exposed groups Methodology: This was an experimental study, conducted in IBMS, DUHS. Seventy-two male rats of adult age (12 ± 1 weeks / weight ranges 200 ±50 gms.) were selected for the study and divided into three large groups A, B, and C (each experimental group consisted of 10 rats while control group consisted of 8 rats). All rats were acclimatized at a temperature of 22±2oC for two weeks. Group A was considered as control to the chronic and acute heat exposed group. It had four subgroups, while each group comprised eight animals. Group B rats were divided into three subgroups: each group contained 10 animals and were exposed to 35±2oC for two hours daily for two weeks, four weeks and six weeks respectively. Group C consisted of 10 male rats after acclimatization of two weeks and they were exposed to the high ambient temperature of 40±20C (once during daytime for 60 minutes). All the rats were sacrificed on completion of the respective period of heat exposure alongwith their respective controls. The animals were dissected through midline thoraco-abdominal incision. Thoracic cavity was exposed after the dissection of sternum and direct cardiac puncture was done to collect blood for the serum analysis of corticosterone by ELISA technique. Statistical analysis was done by using the software SPSS version 16. t-test, ANOVA and Kruskal Wallis were applied for comparison between the group variables. Results: The comparison of serum corticosterone level, done between acute and all chronic groups with their respective control groups, showed highly significant p-value of <0.0001. Conclusion: Highly significant increase was observed in the serum corticosterone after heat exposure in acute as well as in all chronic groups as it was secreted by the adrenal gland. Key words: chronic stress, acute stress, heat, adrenal gland, corticosterone

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