To evaluate secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) in saliva as an immunological stress marker, we reviewed the literature on sIgA and its variation caused by psychosocial factors. Among the studies on the effect of academic stress on sIgA secretion, we could distinguish two kinds of stress effects: the immediate stress effect which increases sIgA secretion immediately after stress, and the delayed stress effect which decreases sIgA secretion several days after stress. On the basis of production and secretion mechanisms of sIgA, we also speculated on possible mechanisms that underlie the variations of sIgA caused by stress. Eventually, we concluded that sIgA in saliva can be a useful stress marker if we analyze the delayed stress effect on sIgA separately from the immediate stress effect on sIgA.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine trends in induced abortions in Japan. Methods: The Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare compiled data on induced abortions, live births, and the population of women aged 15-49 years. These data were provided by 47 prefectures in Japan and were used to examine the number of induced abortions and various characteristics of women who received abortions from 1955 through 2001. We examined abortion numbers, abortion ratios (number of legal abortions per 1,000 live births) and abortion rates (number of legal abortions per 1,000 women aged 15-49). We were particularly interested in examining abortion trends among adolescents. These trends were also compared to those in the United States.Results: A total of 341,588 legal induced abortions were reported in Japan in 2001, representing a 2.5% increase from 1998 to 2001. From 1998 to 2001, the abortion ratio (292) increased by 5.4%; from 1996 through 2001, the abortion rate (11.8) increased by 8.3%. Women less than 20 years old contributed most to these increases. In 1999, the abortion ratio among Japanese adolescents was 5.7 times as high as the ratio among U.S. adolescents, while the abortion rate among U.S. adolescents was 1.8 times as high as the rate among Japanese adolescents.Conclusions: Recent increases in induced abortion among Japanese women may be related to several factors, including changes in sexual behavior among adolescents and a decline in their use of contraceptives. More appropriate educational efforts and interventions are needed to prevent unintended pregnancies.

Several reports have proposed that the concentration of secretory immunoglobulin A (S-IgA) in saliva is an indicator of psychological stress. With this in mind, we decided to examine it in 10 second year medical student volunteers at Kawasaki Medical School course between May 4 and July 13, 2000 and discussed the relationship between S-IgA and the stress from academic examinations. Saliva was collected three times (on rising, at forenoon, and at bedtime) every Thursday. During this period, sporadic academic examinations were held twice and term-end examinations occurred during the last two weeks. Results showed the concentration of S-IgA significantly higher at the on rising time-point than at the other two time-points. There was also a tendency for the S-IgA level in saliva to be higher on the day before academic examinations and during them and lower on the days between these examinations. In addition, daily variations in the SIgA concentration sometimes seemed to be disturbed by other academic stress. Therefore, it may be possible to use this measurement to monitor psychological stress in students and workers.

Objectives: Several studies have reported that the secretory immunoglobulin A (S-IgA) concentration in saliva is an indicator of psychological stress. The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between S-IgA and the stress from academic examinations.Methods: S-IgA levels in 10 medical student volunteers from the second year course between May 4 and July 13, 2000 were examined using the ELISA method.Results: There was a tendency for S-IgA in saliva to be higher on the day before academic examinations and during them, and lower on the days between these examinations. Conclusions: It may be possible to use this measurement to monitor psychological stress in students and workers.

It may be possible to use this measurement to monitor psychological stress in students and workers.