Acute experimental exposure to noise and hormonal modifications

The purpose of this study was to analyse, in healthy volunteers exposed to noise of high intensity, any changes in certain hormonal parameters that might be related to psychological and behavioral effects. The parameters studied were cortisol (CORT), dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate (DHEA-S), prolactin (PRL), growth hormone (GH), insulin (IRI). Some subjective spontaneously expressed parameters, such as feelingcold, feeling sleepy, being bothered by noise and feeling uneasy, feeling nausea, were also taken into consideration. A significant reduction of cortisol compared to the base values was noted both during exposure to noise and at the end of the stimulus. The DHEA-S values increased compared to the base values during administration of the noiseand after exposure had finished. After the end of the noise stimulus, prolactin showed a reduction compared to pre- and post-exposure values. Compared to the basic values, GH diminished both during and after exposure to noise. Insulinaemia showed a significant increase of the value during exposure to noise, both compared with basal levels andwith the values noted after exposure. The data obtained from the investigation carried out showed an influence on the human organism of acoustic stress that manifests itself through a complex multiendocrineresponse. This suggests that noise affected the endocrine system that might be related to psychological and behavioral effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]