ABSTRACT
Noise is an ever growing problem in modern society. Apart from its effect on hearing, behavior, and mood it also has a potent effect on immune system. Therefore the present study was designed to asses effect of chronic noise stress on mantle zone [MnZ] of lymphoid follicle [LF] of spleen in albino rats. Two groups of twenty rats, each group labeled A and B were used; serving as control [no noise] and noise stress [30 days] respectively. Group B was exposed to noise stress of 100 dB for 30 day [3-4hrs/day]. Animals were sacrificed at the end of study, spleen was removed prepared, sectioned and stained with CD79a. A highly significant decrease in mean no of cell in MnZ of LF was observed [15747 +/- 87.82/mm[2]] in noise stressed group when compared with MnZ of control animals [16567 +/- 106/mm[2]]. There was also a highly significant increase in mean perimeter of nuclei observed in MnZ of stressed group [2.74 +/- 0.009microm] when compared with rats of control group [2.68 +/- 0.01microm]. Our study concludes that noise stress induced release of glucocorticoid can significantly decrease number of B lymphocytes in MnZ of LF of spleen in albino rats