Towards The Validation Of Endogenous Steroid Testing In Wildlife Hair

November 2018 in “ Journal of applied ecology ”

Lee Koren, Heather M. Bryan, Devorah Matas, Simon Tinman, Åsa Fahlman, Douglas P. Whiteside, Judit E. G. Smits, Katherine E. Wynne‐Edwards

endogenous steroids hair analysis stress hormones reproductive hormones cortisol steroid incorporation hair growth

Studysummary This review discusses the use of hair analysis for examining stress and reproduction hormone levels in wildlife and highlights the need for more comprehensive physiological validations across species.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The document reviewed the use of hair analysis to measure steroid hormones in wild mammals, highlighting its potential for assessing stress and reproductive hormones. While 85% of 72 studies validated the analytical methods, only five species had physiological validations, with inconsistent results. New data showed a positive correlation between hair and blood cortisol levels in eight mammalian species and variable hair growth in genetically identical mice. The review concluded that more validations, especially for reproductive steroids, were needed to enhance the method's application in wildlife research and conservation. Despite challenges, hair testing was seen as a promising non-invasive method for monitoring physiological and environmental influences on wildlife.

View this study on onlinelibrary.wiley.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

10 / 10 results

Quantification of Reproductive Hormones in Hair of Captive Adult Brown Bears and Their Application as Indicators of Sex and Reproductive State

research Quantification of Reproductive Hormones in Hair of Captive Adult Brown Bears and Their Application as Indicators of Sex and Reproductive State

33 citations , January 2017 in “Conservation physiology”

This study found that measuring reproductive hormone levels in brown bear hair may effectively support non-invasive genetic sampling, though larger samples or more sensitive techniques are needed for broader application.

research Sources of Variation in Hair Cortisol in Wild and Captive Non-Human Primates

44 citations , February 2016 in “Zoology”

This study observed that hair cortisol concentrations in primates are influenced by factors such as age, sex, hair growth rates, and sampling methods, which must be accounted for in research designs.

research Heavily Hunted Wolves Have Higher Stress and Reproductive Steroids Than Wolves With Lower Hunting Pressure

78 citations , November 2014 in “Functional Ecology”

This study found that wolves in heavily hunted areas of Canada's tundra–taiga exhibited higher levels of stress and reproductive hormones, indicating social instability and increased reproductive effort due to human-caused mortality.

research Quantifying Long-Term Stress in Brown Bears with Hair Cortisol Concentration: A Biomarker That May Be Confounded by Rapid Changes in Response to Capture and Handling

90 citations , July 2014 in “Conservation Physiology”

This study found that hair cortisol concentration in free-ranging brown bears is influenced by handling methods, body condition, and potentially both short- and long-term stressors.

research Stress and Reproductive Hormones Reflect Inter-Specific Social and Nutritional Conditions Mediated by Resource Availability in a Bear-Salmon System

66 citations , May 2014 in “Conservation Physiology”

This study found that lower salmon availability was associated with higher stress hormone levels in grizzly and black bears, influencing their physiological responses and competitive behaviors.

research Hair Loss And Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenocortical Axis Activity In Captive Rhesus Macaques (Macaca Mulatta)

28 citations , May 2014 in “PubMed”

This study found that increased hair cortisol levels, indicating stress, were associated with greater hair loss in captive rhesus macaques, although the causality of this relationship remains unclear.

research Extraction and Analysis of Cortisol from Human and Monkey Hair

101 citations , January 2014 in “Journal of Visualized Experiments”

This study validated a method for measuring cortisol levels in hair, which may serve as a biomarker for chronic stress in both humans and various animals.

research Cortisol Determination in Hair and Feces from Domestic Cats and Dogs

199 citations , July 2007 in “General and Comparative Endocrinology”

In this study, researchers found a significant positive association between cortisol levels in hair and feces of domestic cats and dogs, suggesting hair cortisol assays could be a viable option for monitoring chronic stress.

research Detection of Testosterone Propionate Administration in Horse Hair Samples

36 citations , March 2007 in “Journal of Chromatography B”

This study developed a sensitive and specific method for detecting testosterone in horse hair, finding trace amounts in samples for up to five months after administering a single dose.

research Human Hair Follicles Display a Functional Equivalent of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis and Synthesize Cortisol

489 citations , June 2005 in “The FASEB Journal”

This study found that human scalp hair follicles can respond to corticotropin releasing hormone stimulation similarly to the classical HPA axis, including up-regulating cortisol production and activating neuroendocrine feedback loops.