Extraction and Analysis of Cortisol from Human and Monkey Hair
January 2014
in “
Journal of Visualized Experiments
”
New to Hydrocortisone? There is a guide in the encyclopedia. Read the guide → Studysummary This study validated a method for measuring cortisol levels in hair, which may serve as a biomarker for chronic stress in both humans and various animals. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
The procedure described aimed to extract and measure cortisol from human and monkey hair to assess chronic stress levels. The method involved washing hair samples with isopropanol, grinding them into a powder, and extracting cortisol using methanol, followed by quantification through an enzyme immunoassay. This technique offered an advantage over traditional blood or saliva tests by providing a measure of long-term hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal activity. It had potential applications in understanding stress-related psychopathology in humans and the effects of rearing conditions on non-human primates. Additionally, it could aid in evaluating treatments for disorders like PTSD by assessing endocrine function. The method also had implications for wildlife conservation research, such as studying the impact of climate change on polar bears.
