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

The study highlighted that hair cortisol analysis was a valuable method for assessing adrenal function and chronic stress in primates, but it was influenced by various factors. Age and sex significantly affected hair cortisol levels, necessitating control of these variables in comparisons. There was notable inter-specific variation in hair growth rates among primate species. Technical limitations included asynchronous hair growth, the anatomical site of hair collection, and the quantity of hair used for cortisol extraction. These factors needed careful consideration to ensure accurate study design and interpretation of results.