Abstract
Hair cortisol analysis is a helpful tool for non-invasive measurement of the long-term activity of the HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis. Long-term exposure to stressors affects, among others, animals staying in shelters for homeless animals. The study aimed to assess the hair cortisol level in cats from 8 different shelters. Hair grows on average about 1 cm per month. Therefore, it was concluded that the cortisol level in the hair closer than 1 cm to the skin reflected the cortisol level in cats during their stay in the shelter (A period). In contrast, the cortisol level in the rest of the hair corresponded to the cortisol level preceding the cat’s admission to the shelter (B period). Hair cortisol levels in the cats were higher before they arrived at the shelter than during their stay. Hair cortisol levels in the period before the shelter were higher in females than they were in males. On the other hand, during the stay at the shelter, the opposite was true: the cortisol level in females was lower than in males.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.