Acute noise-induced alterations in the immune status of albino rats

The effect of acute noise induced changes on the immune functions of albino rats was studied. Cell mediated immunity was assessed by Leukocyte migration inhibition index (LMI) and humoral immunity by estimating antibody titre. The organ weight of spleen, thymus, adrenal and lymph node was noted, the cell count of spleen and thymus was enumerated and plasma corticosterone level was estimated. A significant increase in the plasma corticosterone level, thymus weight and cell count along with significant decrease in the antibody titre, spleen weight and cell count was observed in noise stressed animals. No significant changes were observed in the LMI and organ weight of adrenal and lymph node in these animals. Our study shows acute noise to be a potent stressor causing definite alterations in the immune functions of the albino rats.