Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to examine the effects of psychogenic stress (PS) frequency on oxidative stress and organ development during growth and to gain fundamental insights into developmental processes during this period. METHODS: Four-week-old male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to a control and three PS groups according to PS frequencies. PS was induced using restraint and water immersion techniques once daily for 3 hr at a time for a period of 4 weeks. RESULTS: Oxidative stress increased with increasing PS frequency. The weights of organs other than the adrenal glands significantly decreased with increasing PS frequency, indicating growth suppression. Furthermore, bone morphology, weight, and length significantly decreased with increasing PS frequency. CONCLUSIONS: High-frequency PS exposure during developmental growth significantly negatively affects oxidative stress and organ and bone development. In particular, increased oxidative stress due to excessive PS has detrimental effects on organ and bone growth.