Extraction and Analysis of Cortisol from Human and Monkey Hair

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.