501 citations
,
October 2008 in “Psychoneuroendocrinology” This study suggests that cortisol measured in human hair can effectively reflect increased production for up to six months, but its retrospective accuracy may be limited due to rapid decline in levels.
23 citations
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October 2008 in “Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes” This study found that measuring cortisol in human hair can reflect increased cortisol production for up to six months, with the highest concentration in hair closest to the scalp.
489 citations
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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.
7 citations
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April 2013 in “Animal Production Science” This study found that manipulating maternal cortisol levels during pregnancy altered Merino sheep wool characteristics, increasing fibre length and reducing crimp frequency in the offspring.
June 2020 in “Authorea (Authorea)” This study observed that pregnant women experienced an increase in hair cortisol concentrations, with primiparae having significantly higher levels in the last trimester compared to multiparae.