TLDR Muskoxen's qiviut cortisol levels indicate their stress hormone activity over the hair growth period.
The study aimed to validate the use of qiviut cortisol as a biomarker of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis activity in muskoxen. It found that repeated adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) injections elevated cortisol levels in qiviut only during its growth phase, not when hair growth was absent. This suggests that qiviut cortisol concentrations are not influenced by stressors during the telogen phase. The research also indicated potential movement of cortisol within the qiviut shaft after deposition. These findings contribute to understanding cortisol deposition and stability in hair, advancing wildlife endocrinology.
19 citations
,
September 2020 in “General and comparative endocrinology” Hair cortisol is a reliable stress indicator in cattle but may not be valid for pigs.
44 citations
,
November 2018 in “Journal of applied ecology” Hair analysis for stress and reproductive hormones in wildlife needs more research for accuracy across species.
33 citations
,
January 2017 in “Conservation physiology” Measuring reproductive hormones in brown bear hair could help identify their sex and reproductive state, but better collection methods or lab techniques are needed.
78 citations
,
November 2014 in “Functional Ecology” Heavily hunted wolves have higher stress and reproductive hormone levels.
501 citations
,
October 2008 in “Psychoneuroendocrinology” Hair cortisol levels can show increased stress during late pregnancy but only for up to six months.
12 citations
,
April 2020 in “British Journal of Dermatology” Caffeine may help reduce stress-induced hair loss.
September 2025 in “Cosmoderma” Pandemic stress worsens hair loss and skin issues, suggesting combined mental and skin care treatments.
9 citations
,
June 2020 in “BMC Molecular and Cell Biology” Stress hormone CRF can cause hair loss by affecting hair growth cells and hormones.
5 citations
,
May 2017 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” The study found no significant difference in stress hormone levels between people with alopecia areata and healthy individuals, suggesting that the disease is not caused by an overactive stress response system.
88 citations
,
April 2017 in “Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology” The document concludes that early diagnosis and treatment of Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia are crucial for preventing serious health issues and improving patient outcomes.
