Author(s):
Marwa S. Hamza, Mohamed S. Selim, Amira Taha, Asmaa Amr, Eman M. Younes, Gannat Gamal, Heba Khamis, Rana Ahmed, Rawan Mahmoud, Waleed Fathy, Yomna R. ElBallal, Mervat M. Omran
Email(s):
marwa.hamza@bue.edu.eg , mohamed.selim@bue.edu.eg
DOI:
10.52711/0974-360X.2026.00644 
Address:
Marwa S. Hamza1, Mohamed S. Selim1, Amira Taha2, Asmaa Amr2, Eman M. Younes2, Gannat Gamal2, Heba Khamis2, Rana Ahmed2, Rawan Mahmoud2, Waleed Fathy2, Yomna R. ElBallal2, Mervat M. Omran3
1Clinical Pharmacy Practice Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, The British University in Egypt, Cairo, Egypt.
2Graduate, Faculty of Pharmacy, The British University in Egypt, Cairo, Egypt.
3Pharmacology Unit, Cancer Biology Department, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
*Corresponding Author
Published In:
Volume - 19,
Issue - 10,
Year - 2026
ABSTRACT:
This study investigates the hormonal responses to academic stress by measuring Oxytocin (OXT) and cortisol levels in saliva among male university students. This research discusses how academic examination is a form of stress influencing the levels of hormones associated with general and social anxiety. The male participants involved in this experiment were between the ages of 20 and 26 years and met the highest criteria in terms of health. There were saliva collections, first during the non-examination period and then during an examination period. Cortisol and OXT levels were quantified using ELISA. Anxiety was assessed using Westside Test Anxiety Scale and the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS). Results implied a significant rise in cortisol level in exams, especially among high-anxiety students, indicating a large amount of developed stress. Conversely, OXT levels decreased during exams, where the biggest decline occurred among high anxiety individuals. Data support the inverse association of anxiety level and OXT pointing toward the role of oxytocin as an anxiolytic. These results emphasize both the physiological impacts of academic stress and the differential involvement of cortisol and OXT in the responses to stress and anxiety, especially in highly anxious individuals. These effects should be further explored according to gender and during extended time under stress.
Cite this article:
Marwa S. Hamza, Mohamed S. Selim, Amira Taha, Asmaa Amr, Eman M. Younes, Gannat Gamal, Heba Khamis, Rana Ahmed, Rawan Mahmoud, Waleed Fathy, Yomna R. ElBallal, Mervat M. Omran. Stress, Exams and Anxiety: Unraveling Oxytocin and Cortisol Responses in University Students. Research Journal Pharmacy and Technology. 2026;19(10):4630-6. doi: 10.52711/0974-360X.2026.00644
Cite(Electronic):
Marwa S. Hamza, Mohamed S. Selim, Amira Taha, Asmaa Amr, Eman M. Younes, Gannat Gamal, Heba Khamis, Rana Ahmed, Rawan Mahmoud, Waleed Fathy, Yomna R. ElBallal, Mervat M. Omran. Stress, Exams and Anxiety: Unraveling Oxytocin and Cortisol Responses in University Students. Research Journal Pharmacy and Technology. 2026;19(10):4630-6. doi: 10.52711/0974-360X.2026.00644 Available on: https://rjptonline.org/AbstractView.aspx?PID=2026-19-10-20
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