• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.3 no.2
• /
• pp.159-165
• /
• 1995

The primary aim of this study is to find out the relationship of examination stress with serum cortisol and prolatin levels. 20 male medical students participated in this study. Global assessment of recent stress (GARS) scale and SCL-90R were used to measure stress perception and psychopathology. Radioimmunoassay was used to assess serum cortisol and prolactin. Serum cortisol level was significantly higher during exam period than during nonexam period. However, there was no significant difference in serum prolactin level between the two periods. In psychopathology, only interpersonal sensitivity had a significantly negative correlation with serum cortisol level during exam period. On the other hand, stress perception had no significant correlation with serum cortisol and prolactin levels during each of exam and non-exam period. The results suggest that cortisol is more likely to be associated with psychological stress such as examination than prolactin, and that specific psychopathology such as interpersonal sensitivity is more likely to be associated with lower serum cortisol level.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.11-18
• /
• 2007

The physiological and biochemical responses of healthy men and women to life stress were measured in order to temperature, blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR) and galvanic skin response (GSR) were selected as physiological stress indices and salivary cortisol level was used as a biochemical stres biomarker. Twenty six (male 14 and female 13) colege students were participated in the experiment. Female showed the significant higher value of salivary cortisol level (p<0.01), diastolic BP (p<0.01), and HR (p<0.01) than male. The difference of skin temperature between forehead and fingertip correlated significantly with salivary cortisol level (p<0.01). The LF(low frequency)/HF(high frequency) ratio of HRV also correlated significantly with salivary cortisol level (p<0.01). However, BP, HR and GSR corelated insignificantly with salivary cortisol level. We suggest that LF/HF ratio of HRV and skin temperature may be good indices for the assessment of life stress, and may apply to measure the stress level of individual in real time.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.207-214
• /
• 1996

The study was designed to find out the effect of exam stress and vitamin B complex on hormones such as plasma ACTH, cortisol and prolactin. 21 medical students completed the whole period of the study. Global assessment of recent stress(GARS) scale and SCL-90-R were used to measure stress perception and psychopathology. Radioimmunoassay was used to assess plasma ACTH, cortisol and prolactin. Plasma ACTH level was significantly higher 2 weeks prior to examination and exam period, respectively, than 4 weeks prior to the exam. However, there were no significant differences in plasma cortisol and prolactin level among the three periods. No significant differences were also found in plasma ACTH, cortisol and prolactin level between vitamin and non-vitamin groups during each period. Scores of stress perception in economic area significantly had a positive correlation with plasma ACTH and prolactin level, respectively, 2 weeks prior to the exam. In psychopathology, scores of hostility subscale significantly had a Positive correlation with plasma ACTH level. There were no significant differences in change of each of the hormones over time as well as between vitamin and non-vitamin groups. In conclusion, it was found that ACTH was more sensitive to exam stress than cortisol or prolactin, and that vitamin B complex had no significant influence on ACTH, cortisol and prolactin level.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.9-16
• /
• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this exploratory study was to find a specific time of day with a stable cortisol level and to investigate the relationship between salivary cortisol and sleep. Methods: A total of 36 Korean female college students participated in the study. Salivary specimens were collected 6 times a day for 2 days in different stressful situations. Sleep characteristics were measured using an actigraph while salivary specimens were collected. Perceived stress was evaluated using the Global Assessment of Recent Stress. Results: Depending on whether there were morning peak and/or afternoon elevations in the cortisol levels, the type of diurnal cortisol pattern was classified into 4 types. None of the cortisol levels in different times of the day showed significant relationships to perceived stress levels. Cortisol levels in the morning, levels of peak cortisol and diurnal differences of cortisol were significantly correlated with sleep duration. The time with most stable cortisol level was 9-10 pm. Conclusion: It is recommended that measurements of salivary cortisol are taken from 9-10 pm since it showed a stable value regardless of diurnal cortisol rhythm and sleep. Sleep duration should be considered as an important confounding factor in measuring cortisol levels in the morning and the diurnal differences of cortisol.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.235-242
• /
• 2022

Purpose: To investigate associations of perceived stress level, serum cortisol level, and telomere length of community-dwelling adults in Korea. Methods: Data of a total of 135 community-dwelling adults aged over 40 years living in D metropolitan city from December 2020 to March 2021 were collected. Perceived stress level over the past month were measured using the Perceived Stress Score. Serum cortisol level was analyzed using a chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. Telomere length was determined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The statistical package SPSS 23.0 was used to perform Chi-square test, independent t-test, and Pearson's correlation coefficient analysis. Results: There was no association between perceived stress and serum cortisol level (r = .07, p= .402). Serum cortisol level was not significantly associated with telomere length either (r = -.15, p= .081). However, the higher the perceived stress level, the shorter the telomere length (r= -.29, p= .001). Conclusion: These results suggest that perceived stress might induce physiological stress, which might partially affect gene biology. Further longitudinal research is needed to investigate the effect of perceived stress on telomere length. Intervention for relieving stress should be included in stabilizing the genetic environment of adults.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.237-241
• /
• 2013

It is generally accepted that chronic stress impairs female reproduction. It negatively affects ovarian function and the number of ovulated oocytes. Chronic stress lowers the number of retrieved oocytes. Ovarian follicular development is regulated by both pituitary-derived gonadotropins and intraovarian regulatory factors. The main corticosteroids are cortisol, cortisone, 11-deoxycortisol and corticosterone, cortisol being one of the most commonly used welfare and stress physiological indicator. In this study, we investigated the effect of cortisol level on progesterone patterns and ovulation in the dog. Cortisol and progesterone level of serum were analyzed by radioimmunoassay. The day of ovulation was considered as the day when serum progesterone concentration was 6.0~8.0 ng/ml. In vivo dog oocytes were collected by flushing oviducts of mixed-breed bitches at three days after ovulation. We classified dogs as having group 1 (cortisol level, 0 ${\leq}$ or < $2{\mu}g/dl$), group 2 (corisol level, 2 ${\leq}$ or < $4{\mu}g/dl$), group 3 (cortisol level, 4 ${\leq}$ or < $6{\mu}g/dl$) and group 4 (cortisol level, $6{\mu}g/dl$ ${\leq}$). The patterns of progesterone were not different in four cortisol groups. The average numbers of retrieved oocytes was not different in four cortisol groups. These results suggest that different cortisol levels on estrus dogs do not affect ovulation, number of ovulated oocytes and progesterone changes.

• Journal of Aquaculture
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.161-166
• /
• 2004

The influence of TBTO (Tributyltin-Oxide) at a series of concentrations (0.52, 1.41 and 3.05 $\mu$g/L) for a period of 3 weeks on estradiol-17$\beta$, testosterone and cortisol levels in male Korean rockfish, Sebastes schlegeli was investigated. Compared to the stable concentration of estradiol-17$\beta$, plasma testosterone level was decreased significantly at the 3rd week after TBTO exposure in plasma of fish (＞1.41 $\mu$g/L). The most profound physiological variation in TBTO exposed fish was a dramatic increase in plasma cortisol level at 3rd week. Conclusively, TBTO exposure caused increase level of cortisol as well as alteration of testosterone in the Korean rockfish. These results suggest that TBTO at environmentally relevant (nanomolar) concentrations disrupt endocrine secretions.

• Korean Journal of Child Studies
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.1-12
• /
• 2016

Objective: This study aimed to examine the difference in toddlers' accumulated cortisol levels based on childcare experience in toddlerhood and the relationship between temperament and accumulated cortisol levels. Methods: Hair sample were collected for measure accumulated cortisol level in 87 toddlers. The Early Childhood Behavior Questionnaire (ECBQ) was used to measure temperament. Results: First, toddlers in childcare showed higher accumulated cortisol levels than in-home toddlers. Second, toddlers in childcare, exhibited a significant correlation between accumulated cortisol levels and surgency. Third, the accumulated cortisol levels of in-home toddlers exhibited a significant correlation with negative affect. In this research, there was significant range in the accumulated cortisol level according to childcare use, and the factors related to accumulated cortisol levels were different in each context. Conclusion: The results of this research support the "susceptibility to context of HPA axis" and imply a needed discussion about the effect of childcare experiences in toddlerhood.

• Korean Journal of Child Studies
• /
• v.28 no.6
• /
• pp.201-215
• /
• 2007

This study examined cortisol patterning in 160 children(79 boys, 81 girls; aged 4-5) attending twelve childcare centers in Seoul and Kyunggi Province. Saliva samples for the assay of cortisol were collected twice a day at 10 : 30 am and 3 : 30 pm. Saliva samples were collected again within a week after the first collection. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. The cortisol level of the afternoon showed neither increase nor decrease compared to morning. Regression analysis indicated that time children spent at childcare centers accounted for increased afternoon cortisol levels; that is, higher levels of afternoon cortisol were associated with more hours per day at childcare centers.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.42 no.4
• /
• pp.231-236
• /
• 2009

Objectives : This study was conducted to determine the appropriate sampling time of the salivary stress markers, chromogranin A (CgA) and cortisol as objective indices of job stress assessment in adult females. Methods : The subjects were 20${\sim}$39-year-old women (13 office workers, 11 sales-service workers, and 11 college students) who were eligible for the study and free of acute and chronic medical conditions. Salivary CgA and cortisol levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Saliva samples were collected (2 $m{\ell}$ each) at 7:00, 8:00, 10:30, 12:00, 17:30, and 22:30 on a typical day. Salivary CgA and cortisol levels, according to sampling time, were compared among the three groups using general linear model. The full version of the Korean Occupational Stress Scale (KOSS), which includes socioeconomic characteristics, health behavior, workrelated characteristics, and BMI, was used to access the subjects' job stress. Multiple regression analysis of the job stressors identified by the KOSS was performed on salivary CgA and cortisol levels. Results : The salivary CgA level peaked at 7:00 (time of awakening), then decreased and were maintained at a low level throughout the day, and increased slightly at 17:30. The salivary cortisol level increased steeply within the 1st hour after awakening, followed by a gradual decrease by 12:00, and was then maintained at a low level throughout the day. The salivary cortisol levels of subjects who worked ${\leq}$5 days per week and graduated from the university were significantly lower at 8:00 (p=0.006). The salivary cortisol levels of non-smokers were significantly lower at 7:00 p=0.040) and 8:00 (p=0.003) compared to smokers. There were no significant differences in salivary CgA and cortisol levels at 10:30 and 12:00 in general characteristics. The regression coefficients on salivary CgA level were significant with interpersonal conflict at 17:30 and job insecurity at 22:30. Regression coefficients on salivary cortisol level were significant with organizational system and total job stressors at 17:30. Conclusions : We suggest that the appropriate sampling times for the salivary stress markers, CgA and cortisol, are at 7:00 (time of awakening), 8:00 (1 hour after awakening), 17:30 (early evening), and 22:30 (before sleep).