Article

Cortisol determination in hair and faeces from domestic cats and dogs.

Dipartimento di Morfofisiologia Veterinaria e Produzioni Animali (DIMORFIPA), Università degli Studi di Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano Emilia (BO), Italy.
General and Comparative Endocrinology (impact factor: 3.27). 02/2008; 155(2):398-402. DOI:10.1016/j.ygcen.2007.07.002 pp.398-402
Source: PubMed

ABSTRACT The present study explored the feasibility of a hair cortisol assay in domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus) and dogs (Canis familiaris) as a valid and reliable alternative to existing non-invasive techniques for monitoring the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity. To this aim, 56 new hair growth samples and 870 faecal samples from 27 domestic cats and 29 domestic dogs were collected and cortisol content was assessed. A significant positive association was observed in both species between the concentrations of cortisol determined in hair and faeces. This finding is discussed in the light of the existing knowledge of hair physiology and in the perspective of its application to studies on chronic stress.

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    Article: An assessment of cortisol analysis in hair and its clinical applications.
    R Gow, S Thomson, M Rieder, S Van Uum, G Koren
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    ABSTRACT: Hair analyses for exogenous compounds, specifically drugs of abuse, have been a useful tool in detecting long-term drug exposure. More recently, studies have delved into the exposure of endogenous compounds in hair. Cortisol is synthesized in the adrenal cortex in response to stress-induced activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. While catecholamines generally indicate acute stress, cortisol can be used as an indicator for sub-acute and chronic stress. Studies on the effects of chronic stress are most often subjective in nature, relying on questionnaires asking the participant to recall on past stressors. This can lead to the issue of recall and reporting bias. A new objective measure of chronic stress is needed for a more accurate understanding of the effects of chronic stress on the body. This review uses emerging evidence to describe the usefulness of hair analysis for cortisol and discusses the current methods used.
    Forensic science international 03/2010; 196(1-3):32-7. · 2.10 Impact Factor
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Keywords

27 domestic cats
 
56 new hair growth samples
 
Canis familiaris
 
chronic stress
 
existing knowledge
 
Felis silvestris catus
 
hair cortisol assay
 
hair physiology
 
present study explored
 
reliable alternative
 
significant positive association
 
valid