TLDR Steroid hormones can be preserved in ancient hair, revealing insights into past health and fertility.
The study assessed the presence of steroid reproductive hormones in archaeological human hair using a modified ELISA technique. Hair from 10 individuals from the Kellis 2 cemetery in Egypt and 10 modern cadavers was analyzed for cortisol, estradiol, and testosterone. All hormones were successfully identified in both groups, with archaeological preservation proving favorable. While cortisol and estradiol in pre-menopausal females, and testosterone levels were within expected ranges, estradiol levels in males and postmenopausal females exceeded projections. The study concluded that steroid hormones could be preserved in archaeological hair, offering new insights into ancient health and fertility.
11 citations
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January 2014 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism” Estrogen formation in hair roots affects hair growth and varies by site, gender, and age.
72 citations
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February 2011 in “American Journal of Biological Anthropology” The conclusion is that recognizing hair growth cycles can improve the precision of dietary and health assessments from hair analysis.
501 citations
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October 2008 in “Psychoneuroendocrinology” Hair cortisol levels can show increased stress during late pregnancy but only for up to six months.
89 citations
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December 1998 in “The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology” Human hair can be used to measure reproductive hormones.
68 citations
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March 1965 in “The BMJ” Hormones and genetics affect hair growth and patterns, with some changes reversible and others not.
August 2019 in “Journal of archaeological science: Reports/Journal of archaeological science: reports” Ancient hair can preserve hormones, revealing health and fertility insights.
44 citations
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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
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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.
Wildebeest stress and hormone levels are influenced by food availability, human presence, and reproductive cycles.
12 citations
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December 2017 in “Scientific reports” The new test can measure very small amounts of testosterone in hair, and grinding the hair up first gives more accurate results.