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.
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May 2018 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement” Alopecia areata is likely an autoimmune disease with unclear triggers, involving various immune cells and molecules, and currently has no cure.
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January 2021 in “Frontiers in veterinary science” Pigs in farrowing crates and loose-housing systems showed no difference in chronic stress levels as measured by hair cortisol.
