Hair Cortisol Levels Research Articles

THU501 Examining The Link Between Exposure To Neighborhood Violence And PRMT6 And Glucocorticoid Receptor Binding To Chromatin In Lung Tumors

Abstract Disclosure: H. Heath: None. S. Kim: None. Z. Madak Erdogan: None. Despite smoking less, Black men experience a higher incidence of lung cancer than white men. This health disparity is even more prevalent in Black men from Chicago, suggesting local neighborhood factors impacting tumorigenesis. Preliminary data found that Black men compared to white men exhibit overexpression of the epigenetic regulator known as PRMT6, have elevated levels of hair cortisol, and live in neighborhoods with disproportionately high levels of violence. This research aims to investigate the receptor for cortisol called glucocorticoid receptor (GR), and PRMT6 recruitment to chromatin and to correlate this recruitment with tumor cortisol levels and exposure to neighborhood violence. Using a version of ChIP-sequencing known as CUT & RUN, the gene binding sites of PRMT6 and GR will be identified using 16 lung tumor samples from patients living in Chicago. Cortisol levels present in lung tumors will be detected using LC-MS. These cortisol levels will be correlated with GR and PRMT6 recruitment to chromatin and neighborhood homicide data obtained using patients’ zip codes. We hypothesize that PRMT6 and GR will be recruited to regulatory regions of genes related to increased lung tumor aggressiveness. We also anticipate that cortisol levels will correlate with neighborhood violence levels and elevated PRMT6 and GR colocalization, indicating chronic exposure to stress as a regulator of lung tumor formation. Presentation: Thursday, June 15, 2023

Determination of nicotine and cotinine in human hair using online solid phase extraction coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and their relation to hair cortisol and cortisone

Tobacco smoking is one of the critical public health threats all over the world. Since nicotine and its metabolite cotinine have been routinely used as the biomarkers to estimate the exposure to tobacco smoking, hair nicotine and cotinine analyses can provide of a retrospective index of nicotine and cotinine integrated over extended periods of several months prior to hair sampling to estimate the long-term exposure to tobacco smoking. Since the relationship between tobacco smoking and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is implicated in both stress response and nicotine addiction, better understanding of the association between hair nicotine, cotinine levels and hair cortisol, cortisone levels is an important prerequisite toward more adequate use of this method in future research. We here presented an online solid phase extraction (SPE) coupled with liquid chromatography- tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for quantification of long-term integrated nicotine and cotinine in human hair. This method was applied to the analysis of hair nicotine and cotinine in 40 participants of smokers and nonsmokers (mean ± SD age: 46.25 ± 11.92 years; 40 % male) and the investigation of their association with hair cortisol and cortisone. Methanol together with glass tube was used for hair nicotine and cotinine extraction during the incubation time of 18-h. The limits of quantification were 1 pg/mg for nicotine as well as 0.1 pg/mg for cotinine. The inter- and intra-day coefficients of variation were below 15 %. The method recovery ranged between 90 % and 104 %. Group-level analyses revealed that smokers exhibited higher hair nicotine and cotinine levels compared to nonsmokers. Hair nicotine and cotinine levels showed significant positive associations with hair cortisol and cortisone levels in smokers (nicotine and cortisol: Spearman's ρ = 0.619, p = 0.005; cotinine and cortisol: Spearman's ρ = 0.468, p = 0.043; nicotine and cortisone: Spearman's ρ = 0.773, p = 0.000; cotinine and cortisone: Spearman's ρ = 0.531, p = 0.016), but not in nonsmokers. The presented online SPE LC-MS/MS method provides a simply and highly specific analytical strategy for the detection of nicotine and cotinine concentrations in human hair for the retrospective assessment of cumulative long-term nicotine and cotinine exposure. Furthermore, hair nicotine, cotinine levels correlate with hair cortisol, cortisone levels in smokers other than nonsmokers.

Non-Invasive Techniques Reveal Heifer Response to Fescue Endophyte Type in Grazing Studies.

Cattle grazing tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceous) infected with wild-type endophytes (WE) leads to a syndrome commonly known as fescue toxicosis. Replacing WE tall fescue with a novel endophyte-infected (NE) tall fescue can mitigate this problem but adoption of this technology has been limited. This study measured and determined the physiological and behavioral responses of heifers that grazed either WE or NE tall fescue, utilizing relatively non-invasive techniques including hair cortisol, thermography (for extremity temperatures), small loggers for intravaginal temperature, and remote observation of in-field behavior. Heifers that grazed WE had greater (p < 0.0001) hair cortisol levels, lower extremity temperatures (p ≤ 0.0075), and 0.3-0.9 °C greater (p ≤ 0.02) intravaginal temperatures (particularly during the daytime) than heifers that grazed NE. From 1200 h-1700 h each day, heifers on WE pastures spent 1.5 more (p = 0.0003) hours standing up and 0.9 fewer (p = 0.0402) hours lying down than heifers on NE pastures. Differences (p = 0.0160) in ADG were small (0.1 kg d-1) and were only observed in the first year of these 8-week studies. However, even in the mild environment of the study site, grazing NE tall fescue provided clear welfare benefits as evidenced by heifer behavioral changes, temperature differentials, and hair cortisol levels. This study underscores the potential utility of non-invasive techniques, such as thermographic imaging and hair cortisol analysis, for evaluating animal responses to stress in extensive grazing systems.

Association of hair glucocorticoid levels with sleep quality indicators: a pilot study in apparently healthy perimenopausal and menopausal women.

Poor sleep quality is associated with different physical and mental health diseases. It is proposed that increased hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity is a potential contributor affecting sleep pattern and quality. We aimed to analyze the relationship between subjective sleep quality indicators and hair glucocorticoid levels among relatively healthy perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. A total of 145 women aged 50-64 y.o. were enrolled in the cross-sectional pilot study. Sleep quality was evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, while stress level was measured using the Perceived Stress Scale. Hair cortisol and cortisone levels were determined by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Statistically significant positive relationship was found between hair cortisol concentration and Pittsburgh sleep quality index score. Similarly, statistically significant positive associations were observed between hair total glucocorticoid level and Pittsburgh sleep quality index, sleep disturbance, and Perceived Stress Scale scores. Subjects with prolonged sleep latency had significantly higher hair cortisol and total hair glucocorticoid concentrations compared with individuals whose sleep latency is not disturbed. Additionally, Chi-squared test indicated that lower hair cortisol concentration was significantly related to better sleep efficiency. Increased hair glucocorticoid (cortisol, cortisone) levels were found to be related with worse sleep quality measured by Pittsburgh sleep quality index score.

The effects and process of the intervention “Individual Shantala Infant Massage” in preventive child healthcare to improve parent–child interaction: study protocol for a quasi-experimental study

BackgroundIndividual Shantala Infant Massage is an intervention that is offered by several Dutch Preventive Child Healthcare (PCH) organizations as optional preventive support, in addition to basic care as offered to all children. It targets vulnerable families and aims to enhance sensitive parenting and to reduce (effects of) parental stress. The intervention is carried out by a certified nurse. It consists of three structured home visits. Parents learn to massage their infant and receive parenting support. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness and the process of the intervention. The main hypothesis is that Individual Shantala Infant Massage leads to increased parental sensitive responsiveness, lower perceived and physiological parental stress, and improved child growth and development in the intervention group, compared to a control group where this intervention is not offered by PCH. Secondary research questions address effects on parenting confidence and parental concerns regarding the infant, the influence of background characteristics and the intervention process.MethodsThe study is a quasi-experimental non-randomized trial. The aim is to include 150 infant-parent dyads in both the intervention and the control group. This takes into account possible attrition and missing data as 105 dyads with complete data per group are sufficient for analysis. All participants complete questionnaires at T0 (pre-test, child age between six-sixteen weeks), T1 (post-intervention, or ± four weeks after T0), and T2 (follow-up at five months). At T2, a hair tuft is cut from the parents’ head to measure hair cortisol levels. Data on infant growth and development is obtained from PCH files. In the intervention group, additional data is collected to evaluate the intervention process: parents complete an evaluation questionnaire at T1, nurses keep semi-structured logbooks of intervention sessions and interviews are conducted with parents and professionals.DiscussionStudy results can contribute to the evidence base of infant massage as applied in Dutch PCH, and can inform parents, PCH practitioners, policy makers and researchers both inside and outside the Netherlands on feasibility and effectiveness of the infant massage intervention as applied in this format and setting.Trial registrationISRCTN registry: ISRCTN16929184. Date (retrospectively) registered: 29/03/2022.

Estimation of Hair Cortisol Levels as a Biomarker of Chronic Stress in Psoriasis: A Pilot Study

Background: Psychological stress can exacerbate many inflammatory diseases like psoriasis by dysregulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis. One method of establishing this correlation is by measuring cortisol levels. Deposition of cortisol in the hair during its growth allows for retrospective quantification and to analyze the relationship between hair cortisol levels, stress, and psoriasis. Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate hair cortisol levels as a biomarker of chronic stress in psoriasis patients. Materials and Methods: Detailed clinical and personal history and stress-related events before the onset of the disease or any exacerbations during the disease were taken. Clinical severity was assessed using psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) scoring. Stress levels in individuals, during the previous 6 months were assessed, using Holmes–Rahe Life Stress Inventory. Following this, hair samples were collected from the vertex of the scalp and sent to the laboratory in an envelope. After extraction of the cortisol, their levels were estimated using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Statistical analyses were done. Results: Mean hair cortisol level per mg of hair sample was 0.92 ± 0.84 ng/mg compared to 0.50 ± 0.60 ng/mg in controls (P = 0.002). There was a significant positive correlation of hair cortisol levels with the duration of disease, PASI score, and stress level. Conclusion: Measurement of cortisol in hair is a novel, noninvasive method that may assess systemic cortisol levels over several weeks to months. It may potentially be used as a biomarker in psychocutaneous disorders like psoriasis.

Evaluation of an association between maternal prenatal psychological stress and insulin resistance during pregnancy and postpartum

Objectives: Various physiological mechanisms counteract insulin resistance (IR) during normal pregnancy. Psychological stress is a known, independent risk factor for developing IR. Pregnancy-specific psychological stress may cause IR and increase the risk of overt diabetes. Hence, the study aims to evaluate maternal psychological stress using multiple stress markers and their association with changes in IR during pregnancy and postpartum. Materials and Methods: Anthropometric measurements such as height, weight and skinfold thickness were measured using standard techniques. The stress markers were assessed using perceived stress scales (K10 questionnaire), a physiological marker of stress (Heart rate variability [HRV] measures) and biochemical stress markers (Saliva, hair cortisol levels). IR was estimated using homeostasis model assessment-estimated IR (HOMA-IR). The association of stress markers with IR was studied among fifty healthy pregnant women during pregnancy and postpartum. Results: The psychological stress scores and saliva cortisol were significantly higher during pregnancy than postpartum (P = 0.000). A comparison of cardiac autonomic function as assessed by HRV measures shows that high frequency in normalised units (HFnu) was significantly higher during the postnatal period than in the prenatal period (P = 0.000). High frequency (HF) spectral power in absolute units was also significantly higher (P = 0.002) in the postpartum period (2612.30 ± 432.24) when compared with the prenatal period (1446.10 ± 299.15). Low frequency in normalised units (LFnu), low frequency (LF)/HF ratio was significantly higher during the prenatal period than in the postnatal period (P = 0.000). As assessed by HOMA-IR values, IR was significantly higher during the prenatal period than postpartum (P = 0.04). There was a significant positive correlation between prenatal psychological stress scores, HRV parameters (LFnu, LF/HF) and postnatal IR. Conclusion: Pregnancy is associated with higher psychological stress levels and IR than postpartum. Furthermore, the maternal cardiac autonomic marker could predict postnatal IR among healthy pregnant women.

Stress specifically deteriorates working memory in peripheral neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia.

This study aimed to explore the influence of chronic stress, measured through hair cortisol, on executive functions in individuals with chronic pain. We expected that there would be significant differences in chronic stress and executive functioning between pain patients and healthy controls, as well as between primary and secondary pain classifications. We also hypothesized that hair cortisol concentration was predictive of worse performance on tests of executive functions, controlling for objective and subjective covariates. For this study, 122 participants provided a hair sample (n = 40 with fibromyalgia; n = 24 with peripheral neuropathic pain; n = 58 matched healthy controls). Eighty-four of these participants also completed highly detailed testing of executive functions (n = 40 with fibromyalgia; n = 24 with peripheral neuropathic pain; n = 20 healthy controls). To assess differences in stress levels and executive functions, t-tests were used to compare patients with controls as well as fibromyalgia with peripheral neuropathic pain. Then, univariate regressions were used to explore associations between stress and executive functioning in both chronic pain classifications. Any significant univariate associations were carried over to hierarchical multivariate regression models. We found that patients with chronic pain had significantly higher cortisol levels than healthy controls, but all groups showed similar executive functioning. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses disclosed that in a model controlling for age, sex and pain medication usage, hair cortisol levels explained 8% of the variance in spatial working memory strategy in individuals with chronic pain. The overall model explained 24% of the variance in spatial working memory. In a second model using imputed data, including both objective and subjectively reported covariates, hair cortisol levels explained 9% of the variance, and the full model 31% of the variance in spatial working memory performance. Higher levels of cortisol indicated worse performance. In this study, an applied measure of chronic stress, namely hair cortisol, explained a substantial part of the variance on a spatial working memory task. The current results have important implications for understanding and treating cognitive impairments in chronic pain.

Hair Cortisol and Testosterone Concentrations in Relation to Maturity and Breeding Status of Male Feral Horses.

Steroid-hormone concentrations from non-invasively obtained biomarkers, like hair, can provide a representation of circulating hormones diffused over relatively long time periods (e.g., weeks or months). The hormone cortisol is often associated with physiological or even psychological stress, while testosterone is strongly associated with male development and reproductive success. Increasingly, studies are using hormone levels derived from hair to make inferences among both domestic animals and wildlife. For horses, all previous hair hormone analysis has been done on companion or working animals. We evaluated the levels of hair cortisol (n = 153) and testosterone (n = 48) from 136 feral horses living on Sable Island, Canada that have been part of a long-term individual-based study since 2008. This population has been undisturbed and unmanaged for over 50 years, and exhibits the natural social organization for horses, harem defense polygyny. Hair samples were collected in mid to late summer and the segment analyzed corresponds with hair grown during, and following, the peak of the reproductive season. Social position was determined based on the male's role as either a dominant breeding Stallion (Stallion), a non-breeding subordinate male (tag), adult Bachelor (5 years old or older), or Immature male (2-4 years of age). While there was no difference in hair-cortisol concentration among any class of adult males (i.e., Stallion, tag, or Bachelor), Immature males had significantly lower hair cortisol concentrations than the other groups (p = 0.001). Hair testosterone levels among the four social positions were significantly higher among Stallions (p = 0.04). Hair testosterone concentration was also significantly related to the probability of a male being either a Bachelor or Stallion and was the only variable remaining in AICc model selection (p = 0.016, AICc = 32.3, Null AICc = 38.8). While not a significant relationship, Stallions had a negative correlation between hair cortisol concentrations and testosterone (R2 = -0.20, p = 0.383), and Bachelors, conversely, had a positive association (R2 = 0.43, p = 0.246). Our observations of hormone concentrations in relation to physiological, social, or reproductive parameters in this population suggest trends that are similar to what has been established using blood or other matrices.

Associations between hair cortisol, cortisone and DHEA levels and Covid19 related stressors among family members during the first outbreak of COVID19 within the FinnBrain Cohort Study in Finland

Some studies have associated COVID-19-pandemic-related stress with elevated hair cortisol concentrations among health care workers and mother-child pairs. We investigated, whether parent-reported pandemic-related stressors predicted hair cortisol, cortisone and DHEA levels among parents and 5-to-8-year-old children in general population. Hair samples utilized to define cortisol, cortisone and DHEA concentrations were collected at homes in June 2020 covering the cumulative hormone output during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Spring in Finland. Parents reported pandemic-related stressors (e.g. lifestyle restrictions, economic difficulties, health events related to self and others) by responding to an online questionnaire in May-June 2020. This study consists of 150 mothers, 25 fathers and 165 children from FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study who had complete data available. According to the preliminary results, hair cortisone concentrations associated with health events related to self among fathers (β = 0.29, p =.057) when adjusted for depressive symptoms (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) (β = 0.089, p =.007), age and education. In parents, we found no other associations between hair hormone concentrations (HHC) and pandemic-related stressors. Analyses in children will be presented in the conference. We found no strong evidence for the associations between pandemic-related stressors and HHC among parents. Finding concerning cortisone could point the possible role of cortisol metabolism in the biological response to pandemic, suggesting that not just cortisol should be studied in related studies.

Associations between psychological distress and hair cortisol during pregnancy and the early postpartum: A meta-analysis

Pregnancy and the early postpartum signify a period of high stress. Perinatal stress can include psychological distress (PD), such as anxiety, depression, and stress, as well as neuroendocrine stress, indexed by activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the production of cortisol. Elevated PD and cortisol levels during the perinatal period can have long-term implications for the mother and child. Despite knowing that PD and HPA activity during the perinatal period independently impact health and development, research to date is unclear as to the association between PD and maternal hair cortisol. The present meta-analysis included 27 studies to assess the strength of the relation between PD and hair cortisol levels during pregnancy and early postpartum. Several sample and methodological factors were assessed as moderators. Analyses were conducted using multilevel meta-analysis. The overall effect size between PD and HCC was small and not significant z = 0.044, 95% CI [-0.001, 0.089]. Moderator analyses indicated that the strength of the association between PD and hair cortisol was moderated by pregnancy status (i.e., effects were stronger in pregnant compared to postpartum samples), timing of HCC and PD measurements (i.e., effects were larger when PD was measured before HCC) and geographic location (i.e., effects were larger in North American studies). The findings advance our understanding of the link between PD and HPA activity during the perinatal period, and further underscores the need for longitudinal work to better understand this relationship during a critical developmental period.

Associations between family socioeconomic mobility during childhood and adolescence and diurnal and hair cortisol among adolescent twins

Although exposure to socioeconomic hardship is hypothesized to induce dysregulation in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity and cortisol secretion, evidence remains inconsistent. Yet, few studies have investigated this association according to a developmental approach sensitive to the social context likely to exacerbate and mitigate this association. To examine whether childhood family socioeconomic status (SES) sensitizes the association between mid-adolescence SES and multiple indicators of cortisol secretion. Participants were twin pairs reared together with measures of SES collected in early childhood (ages 0–5) and mid-adolescence (age 14). Diurnal cortisol (n=592 twin pairs) was measured at age 14 at awakening, 30 min later, in the afternoon and evening over four non-consecutive days. Hair cortisol (n=422 twin pairs) was measured at age 19. Our findings revealed that youths experiencing lower SES levels throughout childhood and adolescence had a flatter diurnal slope and higher hair cortisol levels in comparison to those who experienced upward socioeconomic mobility from childhood to mid-adolescence. Moreover, youths who experienced downward socioeconomic mobility showed higher hair cortisol levels, except for those who were raised in higher-SES households during early childhood. Our study supports the hypothesis that early socioeconomic adversity may sensitize HPA axis activity to later socioeconomic disadvantage, which may bear consequences for socioemotional and behavioral functioning.

HPA Axis Variation and ACEs; Childhood Sexual Trauma is Associated with Lower Hair Cortisol in Adulthood

Early life trauma impacts the HPA axis and can manifest as hyperactivity or a blunted activity. This study explored the types of trauma, age of trauma, and possible critical stages of development that impact different types of HPA axis function. 84 Participants were recruited and provided a hair sample. They then completed a modified adverse childhood experiences (ACE) questionnaire, including the age and duration at which each ACE was experienced. Participants were randomly assigned to either a stress group that was presented with an anticipated stressor, or a control group that was not. Saliva samples were collected before and after experiencing their assignment group. No significant relationships were found between stressor, ACE score, and cortisol reactivity. Independent sample t-tests compared hair cortisol levels of those who endorsed each of the ACE indices and those who did not. Sexual trauma was the only type of trauma that was significantly related to hair cortisol. Years sexual abuse occurred was related to blunted hair cortisol, with the age group of 5-7 being the only age bracket related to lower hair cortisol. Sexual trauma was related to blunted hair cortisol, with specific considerations for the ages 5-7 pointing to a potential critical stage of development. With diversity in how cortisol results from HPA axis activation, this information suggests it’s necessary to consider the heterogeneity of stress responses potentially presenting as both hyperactive and blunted function of the HPA axis while simultaneously considering the type, quantity, and age of trauma experienced.

Comparison of the welfare of beef cattle in housed and grazing systems: hormones, health, and behaviour.

Animal welfare encompasses all aspects of an animal's life and the interactions between animals. Consequently, welfare must be measured across a variety of factors that consider aspects such as health, behaviour, and mental state. Decisions regarding housing and grazing are central to farm management. In this study, two beef cattle systems and their herds were compared from weaning to slaughter across numerous indicators. One herd ("HH") were continuously housed, the other ("HG") were housed only during winter. Inspections of animals were conducted to assess body condition, cleanliness, diarrhoea, hairlessness, nasal discharge, and ocular discharge. Hair and nasal mucus samples were taken for quantification of cortisol and serotonin. Qualitative behaviour assessments (QBA) were also conducted and performance monitored. Physical health indicators were similar between herds with the exception of nasal discharge which was more prevalent in HH (P < 0.001). During winter, QBA yielded differences between herds over PC1 (arousal) (P = 0.032), but not PC2 (mood) (P = 0.139). Through summer, there was a strong difference across both PC1 (P < 0.001) and PC2 (P = 0.002), with HG exhibiting more positive behaviour. A difference was found in hair cortisol levels, with the greatest concentrations observed in HG (P = 0.011), however such a pattern was not seen for nasal mucus cortisol, or for serotonin. Overall, providing summer grazing (HG) appeared to afford welfare benefits to the cattle as shown with more positive QBA assessments, but also slightly better health indicators, notwithstanding the higher levels of cortisol in that group.

Are hair cortisol levels dependent on hair growth rate? A pilot study in rhesus macaques

Research incorporating the analysis of glucocorticoids, specifically cortisol, in hair samples has exploded over the past 10–15 years, yet factors contributing to the accumulation of cortisol in hair are not yet fully characterized. In particular, it is not clear whether cortisol accumulation in hair is dependent on hair growth rate, a possibility raised by prior rodent studies reporting glucocorticoid-mediated inhibition of hair growth. Using rhesus macaque monkeys (Macaca mulatta), an extensively studied nonhuman primate species, the present pilot study evaluated the hypothesis that hair cortisol accumulation is inversely related to hair growth rate (i.e., slower hair growth leading to elevated cortisol levels). Hair samples were collected from 19 adult female macaques and 17 infants (9 males) 3 months apart using a shave-reshave procedure from the same site below the posterior vertex of the scalp. The second hair samples were measured to the nearest millimeter (mm) for growth rate over the previous 3 months and assayed for hair cortisol concentrations (HCCs) using enzyme immunoassay. Because of the possibility of age-related differences in hair growth rate, correlational analyses were performed separately for adults and infants to determine whether HCC values were associated with growth rate in each age group. These analyses revealed that neither group displayed a significant correlation of HCCs with hair growth. The results additionally showed that overall, adults had a faster hair growth rate than infants and, as expected from previous studies, had lower HCCs than infants. Our results suggest that higher HCCs within the non-stress range do not result from cortisol-mediated inhibition of hair growth. Moreover, similarities between humans and macaque monkeys in both HPA axis regulation and hair growth rates argue that these findings are relevant for human hair cortisol studies. Extrapolation to other species in which the features of hair growth and the relevant regulatory mechanisms are less well understood should be done with caution.

Blunted neurobiological reactivity and attentional bias to threat underlie stress-related disorders in women survivors of intimate partner violence.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) alters women's neurobiological stress response systems. We propose that individual differences early in the attentional processing of threats are associated with these neurobiological mechanisms and contribute to mental illness in this population. We assessed attentional bias in relation to threat (AB) in women survivors of IPV (n = 69) and controls (n = 36), and examined overall cortisol secretion using hair cortisol (HC), and stress responsiveness measuring salivary cortisol and α-amylase (sAA) before (T0), and after (T1, T2) an acute psychosocial stress task (Trier Social Stress Test). We used repeated-measures ANCOVAs to explore the associations between Group (IPV, control) and AB with acute stress response, and regression models to examine the associations with mental health symptoms. There were no between-group differences in HC levels. An interaction between Group and AB was found regarding cortisol reactivity (p < 0.05). IPV women with threat avoidance AB showed a blunted cortisol response compared to controls and to IPV participants with threat vigilance AB. The association between sAA reactivity and the interaction between Group, AB, and time approached significance (p = 0.07), with a trend to lower sAA levels particularly in IPV women with threat avoidance AB. Group and cortisol reactivity were associated with symptoms of depression, generalized anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (8-20% explained variance). Threat avoidance AB is associated with blunted acute cortisol response among women exposed to chronic stress (IPV). Experiencing IPV and acute cortisol response appear to be clearly implicated in long-term mental health problems.

Hair cortisol concentration in postpartum dairy cows and its association with parameters of milk production

Hair cortisol concentration (HCC) is considered as an indicator for a minimally invasive assessment of long-term stress. In dairy cows, in addition to stress influences, changing physiological conditions during gestation and lactation (eg, due to varying energy requirements or fluctuating milk yield) may affect HCCs. Thus, the aim of our study was to investigate HCCs of dairy cows during different stages of lactation and to determine the relationship between milk production traits and hair cortisol levels. Samples of natural hair and regrown hair were collected from 41 multiparous Holstein Friesian cows at 100-d intervals from parturition to 300 d postpartum. All samples were analyzed for cortisol concentration and the association of HCC with milk productions traits was evaluated. Our results show that cortisol concentration in natural hair increased after parturition and was highest 200 d postpartum. Cumulative milk yield from parturition to 300 d showed moderate and positive correlation with HCC in natural hair at 300 d. There was a positive correlation between urea concentration in milk and cortisol levels in regrown hair at 200 d, and between somatic cell count in milk and HCC in natural and regrown hairs 200 d postpartum. Together, these findings suggest that physiological loads during lactation, eg, caused by metabolic stress and/or inflammation, may be associated with increased HCC levels. In addition, the results on hair color confirm previous findings in cattle that black hair has higher cortisol concentrations than white hair. Black hair therefore appears to be more suitable for hair cortisol analysis as it provides higher protection against photodegradation.

Hair cortisol concentration, disease severity and quality of life in dogs with atopic dermatitis during lokivetmab therapy.

There are no studies which evaluate hair cortisol as a biological marker of stress and anxiety in pruritic dogs during atopic dermatitis therapy. A longitudinal evaluation of hair cortisol concentrations, the severity of disease and the QoL in dogs with cAD during therapy with lokivetmab. Ten client-owned dogs with cAD. Dogs were assessed at three time points: at the initial visit at day (D) 0 and at D28, when lokivetmab (2.2-3.2 mg/kg) was administered, and at D56 for one further evaluation. At all time points, pruritus and lesion severity was assessed using the pruritus Visual Analog Scale (PVAS) and Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index, 4th iteration (CADESI-04). Dog owners filled out a validated QoL questionnaire and hair cortisol concentrations were measured from samples collected from the same area on each dog. There was a significant reduction in PVAS (p < 0.001) and improvement in QoL of dogs (QoL1) and owners (QoL2) after lokivetmab administration, with a positive correlation of the PVAS with QoL1 and QoL2 (r = 0.71 and 0.52, respectively). There was no difference in CADESI-04 scores at the different time points (p = 0.515). A significant reduction in hair cortisol levels at D56 was measured compared with D28 (p < 0.001). Hair cortisol may be a useful marker of stress in dogs with cAD. These results highlight the negative impact of cAD on the QoL of dogs and their owners, and the positive benefit of lokivetmab therapy.

Preconception sleep quality moderates the association between preconception hair cortisol levels and mental health in pregnant women

BackgroundPoor sleep quality may elevate cortisol levels and affect prenatal mental health through altered HPA axis functioning. This study aims to examine whether subjective sleep quality during preconception moderates the association between preconception hair cortisol levels and mental health from preconception to pregnancy trimesters. MethodsWomen from a prospective cohort study completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) questionnaires during preconception (T0) and at each pregnancy trimesters (T1, T2, and T3). We analyzed 266 of these women who conceived and had fully completed measures at preconception for hair cortisol, sleep quality and either EPDS or STAI-state. Changes in EPDS and STAI-state scores were derived (i.e., T1–T0, T2–T0, T3–T0). Johnson-Neyman technique identified PSQI scores with significant moderation of cortisol on mental health. ResultsAfter adjusting for potential covariates, there was a significant positive correlation between preconception hair cortisol levels and depressive symptom at the second trimester (rs (144) = 0.22, p = 0.008), but not the first and third trimesters (all ps > 0.05). The positive association between preconception hair cortisol and change in depressive symptoms between third trimester and preconception was significant only among women with poor preconception sleep quality (PSQI ≥ 7). LimitationsSleep quality and prenatal mood were derived from self-reported questionnaires, which may be more susceptible to bias. ConclusionsThe positive association between preconception hair cortisol and change in prenatal depressive symptoms is significant among women who reported poor sleep quality during preconception. Improving preconception sleep quality can potentially mitigate the association between preconception hair cortisol and depressive symptoms during pregnancy.

Positive human interaction improves welfare in commercial breeding dogs: Evidence from attention bias and human sociability tests

Intensive breeding practices found in large scale Commercial Breeding Establishments (CBEs) raise significant concerns about breeding dam welfare. Large-scale CBE dams spend most of their reproductive lives confined to kennels, with limited access to enriching experiences including positive human interaction. Long-term confinement can have detrimental effects on dog welfare, inducing negative affective states like anxiety and depressive-like behaviour, and leading to the development of behavioural problems such as fearfulness towards unfamiliar people. Evidence in humans and other animals shows that negative affective states increase the subject’s attention towards a threatening stimulus. We tested the impact of positive human interaction on the welfare of breeding dams from a licensed UK CBE. After receiving four weeks of either baseline levels (control, N = 16) or additional positive human interaction (enriched, N = 15), an attention bias test (ABT) was conducted to assess dogs’ affective states. Afterwards, dams’ human sociability level was evaluated using a stranger approach test. Pre- and post-intervention hair cortisol samples were collected to determine the effect of enrichment on chronic stress. In the ABT, we predicted that, compared to enriched dams, control dams would look more frequently and for longer towards the position of a negative threatening stimulus (opening and closing umbrella) and would spend less time interacting with a positive rewarding stimulus (food bowl). In the stranger approach test, we expected enriched dams would score higher, suggesting more affiliative behaviour towards unfamiliar people. Results showed that control dams looked more frequently (p = 0.005) but not for longer (p = 0.148) towards the negative stimulus in the ABT. Moreover, enriched dams spent more time sniffing (p = 0.032) and eating (p = 0.005) from the food bowl. Additionally, enriched dams scored higher on average in the stranger approach test than dams in the control group (p = 0.026). No significant difference was observed in the percentage change of hair cortisol concentration between treatment groups (p = 0.135). To our knowledge, this is the first evidence for attention bias indicating affective state in dogs. This study demonstrates that a positive human interaction used as a form of enrichment can improve welfare and sociability towards strangers in commercial breeding female dogs. However, longer-term enrichment protocols may be needed to influence hair cortisol levels. Dams in large-scale breeding facilities would benefit from additional positive human interaction, particularly near the end of their reproductive life when they are rehomed as pets.