Determining Cortisol in Animal Hair as a Marker of Chronic Stress

December 2025 in “ Biology Bulletin Reviews ”

J. V. Samsonova, N. Yu. Saushkin, A. K. Piskunov

cortisol hair cortisol concentration hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis

TLDR Hair cortisol can indicate animal stress but varies with many factors.

The document reviews the use of hair cortisol concentration as a noninvasive biomarker for chronic stress in animals, highlighting its correlation with various biological and behavioral factors such as species, sex, age, and environmental conditions. Hair cortisol levels reflect the activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and can indicate an animal's adaptation to stressors. However, these levels can vary significantly depending on factors like sampling location, color, pregnancy, season, housing conditions, and the presence of diseases, making it a complex marker that may be inconsistent and species-dependent.

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