This study found that women undergoing mid-trimester termination of pregnancy exhibited increased cumulative cortisol and testosterone levels in hair samples, higher anxiety, but better stress coping strategies two months post-abortion, suggesting hair testosterone may be linked to emotional vulnerability such as neuroticism during this period.
90 citations
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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.
24 citations
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October 2018 in “Addiction Biology” This study found that alcohol dependence is associated with altered HPA axis functioning, with AD patients showing higher hair cortisol concentrations and reduced ACTH and cortisol levels, irrespective of childhood maltreatment history.
11 citations
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April 2020 in “Animals” This study reported that relocation in police horses was associated with elevated hair cortisol concentrations, possibly suggesting altered welfare due to changed surroundings, and that seasonal variations affected both cortisol levels and hair growth.
4 citations
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June 2025 in “JMIR Formative Research” In this study, researchers reported no statistically significant association between hair cortisol levels and either perceived stress or objective neuroendocrine stress measures in a predominantly male participant group.