[The stress reaction induced by intensive noise exposure in rats]

To study the effects of sustained intensive noise on rats, fifty SD male rats were randomly divided into: control group and 1 d, 3 d, 7 d and 14 d noise exposure groups (120 dBSPL, broadband noise, 2 h daily). The results showed that after noise exposure, the ACTH level and the corticosterone level in serum increased, but the content of DA in diencephalon decreased, the weight of adrenal gland increased, while that of thymus and spleen decreased. Change of weight of adrenal gland and thymus became maximum after 7d-exposure. The ACTH level in serum and the content of DA in diencephalon decreased and the later reached the lowest value and the weight of adrenal gland and thymus returned to normal level after 14 d exposure. It indicated that the acute response began to decrease after 7d-exposure, and the response turned into a chronic inhibitory state after 14d-exposure.