Extraction and Analysis of Cortisol from Human and Monkey Hair

The study described methods for extracting and analyzing cortisol (CORT) from human and monkey hair, highlighting its utility in assessing chronic stress over extended periods. The method involved washing hair samples to remove external CORT, grinding the hair to increase surface area, and extracting CORT using methanol. The extracted CORT was then analyzed using an enzyme immunoassay kit. This approach provided an integrated measure of stress by reflecting hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical system activity over months, unlike plasma or saliva samples that only offered point estimates. The method was validated on various species, including humans and macaques, and demonstrated broad applicability for chronic stress assessment in both natural and laboratory settings.