Marta Montillo - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Marta Montillo
Cortisol and DHEA are involved in adaptive and constructive coping strategies response to environ... more Cortisol and DHEA are involved in adaptive and constructive coping strategies response to environmental changes. The aim of this study was to examine changes in hair cortisol and DHEA concentrations (and consequently their ratio) produced in response to a change from indoor winter to summer grazing conditions in dairy cows. The study population comprised 15 dairy cows from one single herd. Hair samples were obtained using electric razor from the animal's forehead at the time points: 0 (ST1), 30 (ST2) and 60 days (ST3) after the start of summer grazing. Hair cortisol concentrations increase during the first month of grazing from ST1 to ST2 (1.29 ± 0.083 pg/mg vs. 1.64 ± 0.120 pg/mg; P < 0.05) and then remained constant from ST2 to ST3 (1.64 ± 0.120 pg/mg vs. 1.40 ± 0.066 pg/mg; P > 0.05). The hair DHEA concentrations were higher during grazing, ST2, than in stall, ST1 (342.06 ± 17.594 pg/mg vs. 200.40 ± 9.989 pg/mg; P < 0.05) and then remained constant from ST2 to ST3 (3...
Theriogenology, 2016
High individual variability in follicular recruitment and hence in the number of embryos produced... more High individual variability in follicular recruitment and hence in the number of embryos produced is a major factor limiting the application of reproductive technologies in buffalo. Therefore, the identification of reliable markers to select embryo donors is critical to enroll buffaloes in embryo production programs. Better understanding of factors involved in follicular growth is also necessary to improve the response to superovulation in this species. The aim of this work was thus to determine the anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) concentration in follicular fluid (FF) recovered from different size follicles and evaluate the mRNA expression profiles of development-related (AMHR2, CYP19A1, FSHR, and LHR) and apoptosis-related genes (TP53INP1 and CASP3) in the corresponding granulosa cells (GCs) in buffalo. Another objective was to evaluate whether the AMH concentration in FF and gene expression of GCs is associated with the antral follicular count. Ovaries were collected at the slaughterhouse, and all follicles were counted and classified as small (3-5 mm), medium (5-8 mm), and large (&amp;gt;8 mm). Follicular fluid was recovered for AMH determination, and the mRNA expression of AMHR2, FSHR, LHR, CYP19A1, TP53INP1, and CASP3 was analyzed in GCs. The AMH concentration in FF decreased (P &amp;lt; 0.01) at increasing follicular diameter. The mRNA expression of AMHR2 and FSHR was higher (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in small follicles, whereas that of LHR and CYP19A1 was higher (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in large follicles. The intrafollicular AMH concentration was positively correlated with the antral follicular count (r = 0.31; P &amp;lt; 0.05). Interestingly, good donors (≥12 follicles) had a higher (P &amp;lt; 0.05) concentration of AMH and AMHR2 levels in small follicles and higher (P &amp;lt; 0.05) LHR levels in large follicles than bad donors (&amp;lt;12 follicles). These results suggest a potential use of AMH to select buffalo donors to enroll in embryo production programs, laying the basis for further investigations.
Hair cortisol levels were determined in 85 multiparous lactating Italian Friesian dairy cows. The... more Hair cortisol levels were determined in 85 multiparous lactating Italian Friesian dairy cows. The animals were clinically healthy and had not undergone social group changes within the past 3 months. Hair cortisol data were stratified into 14 frequency classes. Data showed a strongly positive asymmetric distribution. In 50% of the animals, cortisol levels were below 3.29 pg/mg while in 33% hair cortisol levels were concentrated in the hair cortisol class 2-2.99 pg/mg. This range of values was suggested as the representative class of hair cortisol levels in healthy animals. Hair cortisol analysis could be a valid, interesting and useful tool for monitoring HPA activity in healthy dairy cows.
Reproduction in Domestic Animals
Cortisol (C) and Progesterone (P4) are extremely important in equine gestation, parturition and n... more Cortisol (C) and Progesterone (P4) are extremely important in equine gestation, parturition and newborn foal. The aim of this study was to investigate the profile of these hormones in foals hair from birth to 90 days of age. The study was carried out on nine foals from the same farm, subjected to the same managerial factors. Each foal was submitted to four hair sampling, always from the same area, at 30 days intervals; samples were collected with clippers from the withers shaved to the level of the skin. All samples were analyzed by RIA. A significant trend of decreasing C levels was detected among sampling times: at birth hair cortisol concentrations (mean ± SD) was 54.23 ± 12.16 pg/mg; at 30 days of age 29.57 ± 5.17 pg/mg (p < 0.0001); at 60 days 18.41 ± 2.01 pg/mg (p < 0.0001); at 90 days 13.84 ± 2.53 (p < 0.001). This trend seems to suggest the progressive adaptation of foals during the first 3 months of growth. P4 levels, instead, remained rather constant from birth un...
Plasma cortisol (C) in adult horse is influenced by several environmental factors, such as temper... more Plasma cortisol (C) in adult horse is influenced by several environmental factors, such as temperature and lighting conditions but to date it is not clear if also hair cortisol is subjected to the same factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of these environmental factors on foal hair cortisol levels at 30 days of age during the breeding season. Hair samples were collected from 69 foals at 30 days of age from March to July and analyzed for C by RIA. For each sample were considered the averages of environmental factors (lighting conditions and temperature) during the 30 days preceding the sampling. Hair cortisol levels were 37.32±8.87 pg/mg (mean value ±SD). None of the climate variables was related to cortisol hair concentrations. In conclusion these data suggest that hair cortisol in 30 days old foals is not affected by the influence of temperature and lighting conditions and cortisol variations are due to an individual HPA axis activation and not to environ...
Cortisol and DHEA are involved in adaptive and constructive coping strategies response to environ... more Cortisol and DHEA are involved in adaptive and constructive coping strategies response to environmental changes. The aim of this study was to examine changes in hair cortisol and DHEA concentrations (and consequently their ratio) produced in response to a change from indoor winter to summer grazing conditions in dairy cows. The study population comprised 15 dairy cows from one single herd. Hair samples were obtained using electric razor from the animal's forehead at the time points: 0 (ST1), 30 (ST2) and 60 days (ST3) after the start of summer grazing. Hair cortisol concentrations increase during the first month of grazing from ST1 to ST2 (1.29 ± 0.083 pg/mg vs. 1.64 ± 0.120 pg/mg; P < 0.05) and then remained constant from ST2 to ST3 (1.64 ± 0.120 pg/mg vs. 1.40 ± 0.066 pg/mg; P > 0.05). The hair DHEA concentrations were higher during grazing, ST2, than in stall, ST1 (342.06 ± 17.594 pg/mg vs. 200.40 ± 9.989 pg/mg; P < 0.05) and then remained constant from ST2 to ST3 (3...
Reproduction in Domestic Animals
Persistent increase on cortisol concentrations due to chronic stress can have detrimental effects... more Persistent increase on cortisol concentrations due to chronic stress can have detrimental effects on reproductive performance of animals. Blood cortisol concentrations have been used to investigate the stressmediated influence of the adrenocortical system on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. To date, cortisol assessment in hair samples has been reported as a validated method to evaluate hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity in humans and animals. The objectives of this study were to evaluate changes in hair cortisol concentrations relative to the beginning of semen production and the effects of hair cortisol concentrations on semen quality of bulls. Hair samples were obtained from 12 Holstein Frisian bulls (BW = 475 ± 57 kg; age = 13 ± 1 months) with a razor from the scapular region. Hair samples were collected at the time of arrival (P1) at the artificial insemination centers. After 30 days (P2), at the start of semen production, samples of new hair growth...
Lo studio degli andamenti dei principali steroidi coinvolti nei processi fisiologici quali accres... more Lo studio degli andamenti dei principali steroidi coinvolti nei processi fisiologici quali accrescimento, riproduzione, controllo del metabolismo e adattamento dell’organismo all’ambiente si basano su campioni biologici quali sangue, urine, saliva, feci e latte. Da tempo nel nostro laboratorio sono stati messi a punto dosaggi in grado di determinare questi steroidi in tutti i tipi di campioni biologici sopra descritti. Queste metodiche sono risultate particolarmente utili per studiare l’attività riproduttiva. In particolare quelli messi a punto sul latte hanno permesso di studiare, su vasta scala, aspetti legati alla funzionalità ovarica in diverse specie quali capre, pecore e bovino. Negli ultimi anni il nostro laboratorio si è dedicato allo studio del cortisolo, principale ormone attivo dell’asse ipotalamo-ipofisi-surrene. La misura dell’attività dell’asse ipotalamo-ipofisi-surrene (HPA) è l’approccio standard allo studio dello stress e del benessere animale negli animali domestic...
Since cortisol (C) plays an important role in foetal multi-organs final maturation, the study eva... more Since cortisol (C) plays an important role in foetal multi-organs final maturation, the study evaluated the reliability for hair and nails C measurement in newborn puppies and kittens as a retrospective picture of foetal C accumulation during the last stage of gestation. The results obtained from 32 born dead normal puppies and 8 born dead normal kittens showed that C is higher in the hair of kittens compared to puppies, while no differences were found between nails C levels in dogs compared to cats, between hair and nails C concentrations within each species, between sex of the newborns and, in the dog between the fair and dark color of the coat. This experiment provides a new interesting tool for C non invasive measurement in newborn puppies and kittens, useful for the study of both last intrauterine development foetal stage and for newborn adaptational monitoring.
Journal of dairy science, 2013
The aim of this study was to evaluate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity of H... more The aim of this study was to evaluate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity of Holstein-Friesian and crossbreed F1 heifers by analysis of the cortisol concentrations in hair samples. Cortisol, the primary hormone of the HPA axis, is the biological endpoint for the investigation of the HPA response. The study was conducted on 290 prepubertal heifers; 142 heifers were pure Holstein-Friesian and 148 were crossbreed F1 heifers obtained from the 3-way rotational system with Swedish Red and Montbéliarde breeds. Extraction was performed on the hair using methanol, and cortisol concentrations were determined by a radioimmunoassay method. Cortisol concentrations measured in regrown hair of crossbreed F1 heifers were significantly lower than those in hair of Holstein-Friesian heifers. This result helps us to better understand the differences in HPA activity and allostatic load between Holstein-Friesian and crossbreed F1 heifers and allows us to better assess the adaptability ...
The Veterinary Journal, 2012
Stimulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and elevated cortisol concentrations... more Stimulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and elevated cortisol concentrations in fetal plasma are associated with foal maturity, viability and adaptation to independent life. However, non-invasive measurement of cortisol in hair samples has not yet been validated in horses. The current study developed a radioimmunoassay to analyse cortisol in horse hair and was used to measure cortisol hair concentration at birth and at 30 and 60 days of age as a retrospective study of HPA axis activity. Cortisol was detectable in the hair of foals from birth until 2 months, but decreased with time and varied greatly between individuals. Analysis of hair cortisol could be useful for non-invasive retrospective studies of HPA axis activity in perinatal horse.
Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 2014
The aim of this study was to investigate the possible effects of environmental factors such as te... more The aim of this study was to investigate the possible effects of environmental factors such as temperature, rainfall, and light conditions on hair cortisol concentrations in foals during the perinatal period. The study, performed during three consecutive foaling seasons from January to July, enrolled 219 foals from one farm. Hair samples were collected from each foal immediately after birth and at 30 days of age, and the samples were analyzed by radioimmunoassay to measure the cortisol concentrations. The mean cortisol concentration of hair collected at 30 days of age was significantly (P < .01) lower than that found at birth, but none of the evaluated environmental factors (temperature, rainfall, or day length) influenced the hair cortisol concentrations.
Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 2012
ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate hair cortisol levels in healthy Friesian dai... more ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate hair cortisol levels in healthy Friesian dairy cows. The trial was conducted on 229 multiparous lactating Italian Friesian dairy cows from 90 to 305 days of lactation selected from a single herd. The animals were clinically healthy and had not undergone social group changes or any disease occurred within the past 3 months. Hair samples were obtained by clippers from the animal’s forehead and hair cortisol concentration was evaluated by RIA. The hair cortisol concentrations ranged from 0.8 to 20.41 pg/mg. In 50% of the animals, cortisol levels were below 3.13 pg/mg. The cows were classified into fourteen classes according to their hair cortisol levels and percentage frequencies for each class were calculated. The 33% of the animals were concentrated in the hair cortisol class 2-2.99 pg/mg. This preliminary study describe the distribution of hair cortisol levels in healthy Friesian dairy cows and suggest hair cortisol analysis as an interesting and useful tool to monitor HPA axis activity in healthy lactating dairy cows.
Journal of applied animal welfare science : JAAWS, Jan 18, 2016
To investigate how long relocation modified hair cortisol concentrations in New Zealand white rab... more To investigate how long relocation modified hair cortisol concentrations in New Zealand white rabbits, 19 rabbits were subjected to a change in their breeding facility at the beginning of the trial and then were kept under stable environmental conditions. Hair samples were collected at the time of arrival to the nonhuman animal facility and at 40-day intervals from the same skin area for up to 440 days after the animals' arrival to the facility. A period effect on the hair cortisol concentration was found (p < .01). The transfer of the rabbits to the new facility might have induced an increase in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity (p < .01). A second increase in hair cortisol concentration (p < .01) occurred at 320 days, after a change of personnel at the facility that occurred at 280 days, which was the only environmental change. The relocation of rabbits to the facility resulted in a stress response leading to elevated cortisol levels. The effect of relo...
Cortisol and DHEA are involved in adaptive and constructive coping strategies response to environ... more Cortisol and DHEA are involved in adaptive and constructive coping strategies response to environmental changes. The aim of this study was to examine changes in hair cortisol and DHEA concentrations (and consequently their ratio) produced in response to a change from indoor winter to summer grazing conditions in dairy cows. The study population comprised 15 dairy cows from one single herd. Hair samples were obtained using electric razor from the animal's forehead at the time points: 0 (ST1), 30 (ST2) and 60 days (ST3) after the start of summer grazing. Hair cortisol concentrations increase during the first month of grazing from ST1 to ST2 (1.29 ± 0.083 pg/mg vs. 1.64 ± 0.120 pg/mg; P < 0.05) and then remained constant from ST2 to ST3 (1.64 ± 0.120 pg/mg vs. 1.40 ± 0.066 pg/mg; P > 0.05). The hair DHEA concentrations were higher during grazing, ST2, than in stall, ST1 (342.06 ± 17.594 pg/mg vs. 200.40 ± 9.989 pg/mg; P < 0.05) and then remained constant from ST2 to ST3 (3...
Theriogenology, 2016
High individual variability in follicular recruitment and hence in the number of embryos produced... more High individual variability in follicular recruitment and hence in the number of embryos produced is a major factor limiting the application of reproductive technologies in buffalo. Therefore, the identification of reliable markers to select embryo donors is critical to enroll buffaloes in embryo production programs. Better understanding of factors involved in follicular growth is also necessary to improve the response to superovulation in this species. The aim of this work was thus to determine the anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) concentration in follicular fluid (FF) recovered from different size follicles and evaluate the mRNA expression profiles of development-related (AMHR2, CYP19A1, FSHR, and LHR) and apoptosis-related genes (TP53INP1 and CASP3) in the corresponding granulosa cells (GCs) in buffalo. Another objective was to evaluate whether the AMH concentration in FF and gene expression of GCs is associated with the antral follicular count. Ovaries were collected at the slaughterhouse, and all follicles were counted and classified as small (3-5 mm), medium (5-8 mm), and large (&amp;gt;8 mm). Follicular fluid was recovered for AMH determination, and the mRNA expression of AMHR2, FSHR, LHR, CYP19A1, TP53INP1, and CASP3 was analyzed in GCs. The AMH concentration in FF decreased (P &amp;lt; 0.01) at increasing follicular diameter. The mRNA expression of AMHR2 and FSHR was higher (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in small follicles, whereas that of LHR and CYP19A1 was higher (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in large follicles. The intrafollicular AMH concentration was positively correlated with the antral follicular count (r = 0.31; P &amp;lt; 0.05). Interestingly, good donors (≥12 follicles) had a higher (P &amp;lt; 0.05) concentration of AMH and AMHR2 levels in small follicles and higher (P &amp;lt; 0.05) LHR levels in large follicles than bad donors (&amp;lt;12 follicles). These results suggest a potential use of AMH to select buffalo donors to enroll in embryo production programs, laying the basis for further investigations.
Hair cortisol levels were determined in 85 multiparous lactating Italian Friesian dairy cows. The... more Hair cortisol levels were determined in 85 multiparous lactating Italian Friesian dairy cows. The animals were clinically healthy and had not undergone social group changes within the past 3 months. Hair cortisol data were stratified into 14 frequency classes. Data showed a strongly positive asymmetric distribution. In 50% of the animals, cortisol levels were below 3.29 pg/mg while in 33% hair cortisol levels were concentrated in the hair cortisol class 2-2.99 pg/mg. This range of values was suggested as the representative class of hair cortisol levels in healthy animals. Hair cortisol analysis could be a valid, interesting and useful tool for monitoring HPA activity in healthy dairy cows.
Reproduction in Domestic Animals
Cortisol (C) and Progesterone (P4) are extremely important in equine gestation, parturition and n... more Cortisol (C) and Progesterone (P4) are extremely important in equine gestation, parturition and newborn foal. The aim of this study was to investigate the profile of these hormones in foals hair from birth to 90 days of age. The study was carried out on nine foals from the same farm, subjected to the same managerial factors. Each foal was submitted to four hair sampling, always from the same area, at 30 days intervals; samples were collected with clippers from the withers shaved to the level of the skin. All samples were analyzed by RIA. A significant trend of decreasing C levels was detected among sampling times: at birth hair cortisol concentrations (mean ± SD) was 54.23 ± 12.16 pg/mg; at 30 days of age 29.57 ± 5.17 pg/mg (p < 0.0001); at 60 days 18.41 ± 2.01 pg/mg (p < 0.0001); at 90 days 13.84 ± 2.53 (p < 0.001). This trend seems to suggest the progressive adaptation of foals during the first 3 months of growth. P4 levels, instead, remained rather constant from birth un...
Plasma cortisol (C) in adult horse is influenced by several environmental factors, such as temper... more Plasma cortisol (C) in adult horse is influenced by several environmental factors, such as temperature and lighting conditions but to date it is not clear if also hair cortisol is subjected to the same factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of these environmental factors on foal hair cortisol levels at 30 days of age during the breeding season. Hair samples were collected from 69 foals at 30 days of age from March to July and analyzed for C by RIA. For each sample were considered the averages of environmental factors (lighting conditions and temperature) during the 30 days preceding the sampling. Hair cortisol levels were 37.32±8.87 pg/mg (mean value ±SD). None of the climate variables was related to cortisol hair concentrations. In conclusion these data suggest that hair cortisol in 30 days old foals is not affected by the influence of temperature and lighting conditions and cortisol variations are due to an individual HPA axis activation and not to environ...
Cortisol and DHEA are involved in adaptive and constructive coping strategies response to environ... more Cortisol and DHEA are involved in adaptive and constructive coping strategies response to environmental changes. The aim of this study was to examine changes in hair cortisol and DHEA concentrations (and consequently their ratio) produced in response to a change from indoor winter to summer grazing conditions in dairy cows. The study population comprised 15 dairy cows from one single herd. Hair samples were obtained using electric razor from the animal's forehead at the time points: 0 (ST1), 30 (ST2) and 60 days (ST3) after the start of summer grazing. Hair cortisol concentrations increase during the first month of grazing from ST1 to ST2 (1.29 ± 0.083 pg/mg vs. 1.64 ± 0.120 pg/mg; P < 0.05) and then remained constant from ST2 to ST3 (1.64 ± 0.120 pg/mg vs. 1.40 ± 0.066 pg/mg; P > 0.05). The hair DHEA concentrations were higher during grazing, ST2, than in stall, ST1 (342.06 ± 17.594 pg/mg vs. 200.40 ± 9.989 pg/mg; P < 0.05) and then remained constant from ST2 to ST3 (3...
Reproduction in Domestic Animals
Persistent increase on cortisol concentrations due to chronic stress can have detrimental effects... more Persistent increase on cortisol concentrations due to chronic stress can have detrimental effects on reproductive performance of animals. Blood cortisol concentrations have been used to investigate the stressmediated influence of the adrenocortical system on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. To date, cortisol assessment in hair samples has been reported as a validated method to evaluate hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity in humans and animals. The objectives of this study were to evaluate changes in hair cortisol concentrations relative to the beginning of semen production and the effects of hair cortisol concentrations on semen quality of bulls. Hair samples were obtained from 12 Holstein Frisian bulls (BW = 475 ± 57 kg; age = 13 ± 1 months) with a razor from the scapular region. Hair samples were collected at the time of arrival (P1) at the artificial insemination centers. After 30 days (P2), at the start of semen production, samples of new hair growth...
Lo studio degli andamenti dei principali steroidi coinvolti nei processi fisiologici quali accres... more Lo studio degli andamenti dei principali steroidi coinvolti nei processi fisiologici quali accrescimento, riproduzione, controllo del metabolismo e adattamento dell’organismo all’ambiente si basano su campioni biologici quali sangue, urine, saliva, feci e latte. Da tempo nel nostro laboratorio sono stati messi a punto dosaggi in grado di determinare questi steroidi in tutti i tipi di campioni biologici sopra descritti. Queste metodiche sono risultate particolarmente utili per studiare l’attività riproduttiva. In particolare quelli messi a punto sul latte hanno permesso di studiare, su vasta scala, aspetti legati alla funzionalità ovarica in diverse specie quali capre, pecore e bovino. Negli ultimi anni il nostro laboratorio si è dedicato allo studio del cortisolo, principale ormone attivo dell’asse ipotalamo-ipofisi-surrene. La misura dell’attività dell’asse ipotalamo-ipofisi-surrene (HPA) è l’approccio standard allo studio dello stress e del benessere animale negli animali domestic...
Since cortisol (C) plays an important role in foetal multi-organs final maturation, the study eva... more Since cortisol (C) plays an important role in foetal multi-organs final maturation, the study evaluated the reliability for hair and nails C measurement in newborn puppies and kittens as a retrospective picture of foetal C accumulation during the last stage of gestation. The results obtained from 32 born dead normal puppies and 8 born dead normal kittens showed that C is higher in the hair of kittens compared to puppies, while no differences were found between nails C levels in dogs compared to cats, between hair and nails C concentrations within each species, between sex of the newborns and, in the dog between the fair and dark color of the coat. This experiment provides a new interesting tool for C non invasive measurement in newborn puppies and kittens, useful for the study of both last intrauterine development foetal stage and for newborn adaptational monitoring.
Journal of dairy science, 2013
The aim of this study was to evaluate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity of H... more The aim of this study was to evaluate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity of Holstein-Friesian and crossbreed F1 heifers by analysis of the cortisol concentrations in hair samples. Cortisol, the primary hormone of the HPA axis, is the biological endpoint for the investigation of the HPA response. The study was conducted on 290 prepubertal heifers; 142 heifers were pure Holstein-Friesian and 148 were crossbreed F1 heifers obtained from the 3-way rotational system with Swedish Red and Montbéliarde breeds. Extraction was performed on the hair using methanol, and cortisol concentrations were determined by a radioimmunoassay method. Cortisol concentrations measured in regrown hair of crossbreed F1 heifers were significantly lower than those in hair of Holstein-Friesian heifers. This result helps us to better understand the differences in HPA activity and allostatic load between Holstein-Friesian and crossbreed F1 heifers and allows us to better assess the adaptability ...
The Veterinary Journal, 2012
Stimulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and elevated cortisol concentrations... more Stimulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and elevated cortisol concentrations in fetal plasma are associated with foal maturity, viability and adaptation to independent life. However, non-invasive measurement of cortisol in hair samples has not yet been validated in horses. The current study developed a radioimmunoassay to analyse cortisol in horse hair and was used to measure cortisol hair concentration at birth and at 30 and 60 days of age as a retrospective study of HPA axis activity. Cortisol was detectable in the hair of foals from birth until 2 months, but decreased with time and varied greatly between individuals. Analysis of hair cortisol could be useful for non-invasive retrospective studies of HPA axis activity in perinatal horse.
Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 2014
The aim of this study was to investigate the possible effects of environmental factors such as te... more The aim of this study was to investigate the possible effects of environmental factors such as temperature, rainfall, and light conditions on hair cortisol concentrations in foals during the perinatal period. The study, performed during three consecutive foaling seasons from January to July, enrolled 219 foals from one farm. Hair samples were collected from each foal immediately after birth and at 30 days of age, and the samples were analyzed by radioimmunoassay to measure the cortisol concentrations. The mean cortisol concentration of hair collected at 30 days of age was significantly (P < .01) lower than that found at birth, but none of the evaluated environmental factors (temperature, rainfall, or day length) influenced the hair cortisol concentrations.
Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 2012
ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate hair cortisol levels in healthy Friesian dai... more ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate hair cortisol levels in healthy Friesian dairy cows. The trial was conducted on 229 multiparous lactating Italian Friesian dairy cows from 90 to 305 days of lactation selected from a single herd. The animals were clinically healthy and had not undergone social group changes or any disease occurred within the past 3 months. Hair samples were obtained by clippers from the animal’s forehead and hair cortisol concentration was evaluated by RIA. The hair cortisol concentrations ranged from 0.8 to 20.41 pg/mg. In 50% of the animals, cortisol levels were below 3.13 pg/mg. The cows were classified into fourteen classes according to their hair cortisol levels and percentage frequencies for each class were calculated. The 33% of the animals were concentrated in the hair cortisol class 2-2.99 pg/mg. This preliminary study describe the distribution of hair cortisol levels in healthy Friesian dairy cows and suggest hair cortisol analysis as an interesting and useful tool to monitor HPA axis activity in healthy lactating dairy cows.
Journal of applied animal welfare science : JAAWS, Jan 18, 2016
To investigate how long relocation modified hair cortisol concentrations in New Zealand white rab... more To investigate how long relocation modified hair cortisol concentrations in New Zealand white rabbits, 19 rabbits were subjected to a change in their breeding facility at the beginning of the trial and then were kept under stable environmental conditions. Hair samples were collected at the time of arrival to the nonhuman animal facility and at 40-day intervals from the same skin area for up to 440 days after the animals' arrival to the facility. A period effect on the hair cortisol concentration was found (p < .01). The transfer of the rabbits to the new facility might have induced an increase in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity (p < .01). A second increase in hair cortisol concentration (p < .01) occurred at 320 days, after a change of personnel at the facility that occurred at 280 days, which was the only environmental change. The relocation of rabbits to the facility resulted in a stress response leading to elevated cortisol levels. The effect of relo...