TLDR Hair cortisol levels in primates are useful for stress assessment but vary by age, sex, species, and hair collection methods.
The study investigated sources of variation in hair cortisol measurements in wild and captive non-human primates, focusing on both biological and technical factors. Hair samples from various primate species were analyzed, revealing that cortisol extraction efficiency increased with sonication in a hot water bath, suggesting this method as a cost-effective alternative to milling. The findings highlighted the importance of considering factors such as sample preparation, anatomical site, and individual biological differences when interpreting hair cortisol levels, which is crucial for accurately assessing chronic stress in primates.
22 citations
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217 citations
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July 2009 in “Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes” Hair analysis can track past cortisol levels in Cushing's Syndrome patients.
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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.
567 citations
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October 2007 in “Clinical and investigative medicine” Hair cortisol can be used to measure long-term stress exposure.
199 citations
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July 2007 in “General and Comparative Endocrinology” Hair cortisol can reliably indicate chronic stress in cats and dogs.
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April 2020 in “Animals” Moving horses to new places can increase their stress levels, as shown by higher stress hormone in their hair.
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October 2018 in “General and Comparative Endocrinology” Hair cortisol is a reliable way to measure long-term stress in animals.
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June 2020 in “General and comparative endocrinology” Hair cortisol is a reliable stress indicator in cattle but may not be valid for pigs.
16 citations
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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.
July 2025 in “International Journal of Dermatology Venereology and Leprosy Sciences” Higher stress levels may worsen alopecia areata, suggesting stress management is important for treatment.
