FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / Hair Cortisol, Testosterone, Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate ...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2021; 11(8); 2202; doi: 10.3390/ani11082202

Hair Cortisol, Testosterone, Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate and Their Ratios in Stallions as a Retrospective Measure of Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal and Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal Axes Activity: Exploring the Influence of Seasonality.

Abstract: The monitoring of stress physiology includes studying a wide range of endocrinological mechanisms, which can be assessed using multiple tissue samples. This study aimed to evaluate the seasonal variations of hair C, T and DHEA-S in horses for a whole year, as well as to assess the variations between seasons of C/DHEA-S and T/C ratios as a retrospective measure of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis activity. Ten pure-breed Menorca stallions were included in the study. The hair samples were collected approximately every two months following the shave-reshave method caudally to the sternum. After a methanol-based extraction, samples were analyzed by enzyme immunoassay for cortisol, testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate. Following our findings, we detected that cortisol, testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate were significantly affected by seasonality, with the highest values of cortisol during summer and the lowest values of testosterone during spring. Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate concentrations were increased in autumn compared to the other studied periods. Additionally, the studied hormone ratios showed variations between seasons. To conclude, season should, therefore, be considered when assessing sexual and stress hormones in stallion hair, since this variable can be a potential influencing factor and led to misinterpretations.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2021-07-25 PubMed ID: 34438659PubMed Central: PMC8388521DOI: 10.3390/ani11082202Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article investigates the impact of seasonal variations on hormone levels in stallions, specifically cortisol, testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. It highlights how these variations can offer insight into the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axes,, critical to understanding stress and reproductive physiology.

Study Design

  • The study was designed around ten pure-breed Menorca stallions. The focus was on measuring the level variations in cortisol (C), testosterone (T), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) in the hair of these horses over an entire year.
  • Hair samples were collected around every two months using a methodology termed the shave-reshave method. This method involves shaving the area where the sample is to be taken and then allowing the hair to grow back before it is shaved again for sampling.
  • The hair was then processed via a methanol-based extraction and the resultant samples were analyzed using an enzyme immunoassay. This technique allows for a very precise measurement of cortisol, testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate concentrations in the hair.

Findings

  • The research found that hormone levels were significantly influenced by the season, with cortisol levels being at its peak during the summer months while testosterone levels were recorded lowest in spring.
  • Interestingly, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate concentrations were found to be highest in autumn compared to other seasons. The researchers also observed varying hormone ratios during different seasons.

Implications

  • The findings from this research underline the need to consider seasonal influences when assessing sexual and stress hormones in stallion hair.
  • Given that these hormones and their ratios can provide valuable insights into the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axes, fluctuations related to seasonality can lead to potential misinterpretations if not accounted for.
  • This study emphasizes the importance of long-term and holistic approaches in monitoring stress physiology in equine species, through comprehensive endocrinological assessments.

Cite This Article

APA
Olvera-Maneu S, Carbajal A, Gardela J, Lopez-Bejar M. (2021). Hair Cortisol, Testosterone, Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate and Their Ratios in Stallions as a Retrospective Measure of Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal and Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal Axes Activity: Exploring the Influence of Seasonality. Animals (Basel), 11(8), 2202. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11082202

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 8
PII: 2202

Researcher Affiliations

Olvera-Maneu, Sergi
  • Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, Veterinary Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), 08193 Barcelona, Spain.
Carbajal, Anaïs
  • Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, Veterinary Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), 08193 Barcelona, Spain.
Gardela, Jaume
  • Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, Veterinary Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), 08193 Barcelona, Spain.
Lopez-Bejar, Manel
  • Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, Veterinary Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra (Cerdanyola del Vallès), 08193 Barcelona, Spain.
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, 309 East Second Street, Pomona, CA 91766, USA.

Conflict of Interest Statement

None of the authors have any competing interests that could inappropriately influence or bias the content of the paper.

References

This article includes 49 references
  1. Murphy BA. Circadian and Circannual Regulation in the Horse: Internal Timing in an Elite Athlete.. J Equine Vet Sci 2019 May;76:14-24.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2019.02.026pubmed: 31084748google scholar: lookup
  2. Sollberger S, Ehlert U. How to use and interpret hormone ratios.. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2016 Jan;63:385-97.
    doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2015.09.031pubmed: 26521052google scholar: lookup
  3. Whitham JC, Bryant JL, Miller LJ. Beyond Glucocorticoids: Integrating Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) into Animal Welfare Research.. Animals (Basel) 2020 Aug 9;10(8).
    doi: 10.3390/ani10081381pmc: PMC7459918pubmed: 32784884google scholar: lookup
  4. Ralph CR, Tilbrook AJ. INVITED REVIEW: The usefulness of measuring glucocorticoids for assessing animal welfare.. J Anim Sci 2016 Feb;94(2):457-70.
    doi: 10.2527/jas.2015-9645pubmed: 27065116google scholar: lookup
  5. Sheriff MJ, Dantzer B, Delehanty B, Palme R, Boonstra R. Measuring stress in wildlife: techniques for quantifying glucocorticoids.. Oecologia 2011 Aug;166(4):869-87.
    doi: 10.1007/s00442-011-1943-ypubmed: 21344254google scholar: lookup
  6. Möstl E, Palme R. Hormones as indicators of stress.. Domest Anim Endocrinol 2002 Jul;23(1-2):67-74.
    doi: 10.1016/S0739-7240(02)00146-7pubmed: 12142227google scholar: lookup
  7. Bergamin C, Comin A, Corazzin M, Faustini M, Peric T, Scollo A, Gottardo F, Montillo M, Prandi A. Cortisol, DHEA, and Sexual Steroid Concentrations in Fattening Pigs' Hair.. Animals (Basel) 2019 Jun 12;9(6).
    doi: 10.3390/ani9060345pmc: PMC6616490pubmed: 31212851google scholar: lookup
  8. Placci M, Marliani G, Sabioni S, Gabai G, Mondo E, Borghetti P, De Angelis E, Accorsi PA. Natural Horse Boarding Vs Traditional Stable: A Comparison of Hormonal, Hematological and Immunological Parameters.. J Appl Anim Welf Sci 2020 Jul-Sep;23(3):366-377.
    doi: 10.1080/10888705.2019.1663737pubmed: 32441218google scholar: lookup
  9. Fels M, Rauterberg S, Schwennen C, Ligges U, Herbrandt S, Kemper N, Schmicke M. Cortisol/dehydroepiandrosterone ratio in saliva: Endocrine biomarker for chronic stress in pigs?. Livest. Sci. 2019;222:21–24.
    doi: 10.1016/j.livsci.2019.01.022google scholar: lookup
  10. Peric T, Corazzin M, Romanzin A, Bovolenta S, Prandi A, Montillo M, Comin A. Cortisol and DHEA concentrations in the hair of dairy cows managed indoor or on pasture. Livest. Sci. 2017;202:39–43.
    doi: 10.1016/j.livsci.2017.05.020google scholar: lookup
  11. Khalil AM, Nakahara K, Tokuriki M, Kaseda Y, Murakami N. Variation in fecal testosterone hormone concentration with season and harem size in Misaki feral horses.. J Vet Med Sci 2009 Aug;71(8):1075-8.
    doi: 10.1292/jvms.71.1075pubmed: 19721361google scholar: lookup
  12. Palme R. Monitoring stress hormone metabolites as a useful, non-invasive tool for welfare assessment in farm animals. Anim. Welf. 2012;21:331–337.
    doi: 10.7120/09627286.21.3.331google scholar: lookup
  13. Heimbürge S, Kanitz E, Otten W. The use of hair cortisol for the assessment of stress in animals.. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2019 Jan 1;270:10-17.
    doi: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2018.09.016pubmed: 30287191google scholar: lookup
  14. Stalder T, Steudte S, Miller R, Skoluda N, Dettenborn L, Kirschbaum C. Intraindividual stability of hair cortisol concentrations.. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2012 May;37(5):602-10.
    doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2011.08.007pubmed: 21917384google scholar: lookup
  15. Stalder T, Kirschbaum C. Analysis of cortisol in hair--state of the art and future directions.. Brain Behav Immun 2012 Oct;26(7):1019-29.
    doi: 10.1016/j.bbi.2012.02.002pubmed: 22366690google scholar: lookup
  16. Webb E, Thomson S, Nelson A, White C, Koren G, Rieder M, Van Uum S. Assessing individual systemic stress through cortisol analysis of archaeological hair. J. Archaeol. Sci. 2010;37:807–812.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jas.2009.11.010google scholar: lookup
  17. Duran M.C, Janz D.M, Waldner C.L, Campbell J.R, Marques F.J. Hair Cortisol Concentration as a Stress Biomarker in Horses: Associations With Body Location and Surgical Castration. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2017;55:27–33.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2017.03.220google scholar: lookup
  18. Heimbürge S, Kanitz E, Tuchscherer A, Otten W. Within a hair's breadth - Factors influencing hair cortisol levels in pigs and cattle.. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2020 Mar 1;288:113359.
    doi: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2019.113359pubmed: 31830475google scholar: lookup
  19. González-de-la-Vara Mdel R, Valdez RA, Lemus-Ramirez V, Vázquez-Chagoyán JC, Villa-Godoy A, Romano MC. Effects of adrenocorticotropic hormone challenge and age on hair cortisol concentrations in dairy cattle.. Can J Vet Res 2011 Jul;75(3):216-21.
    pmc: PMC3122973pubmed: 22210998
  20. Tallo-Parra O, Manteca X, Sabes-Alsina M, Carbajal A, Lopez-Bejar M. Hair cortisol detection in dairy cattle by using EIA: protocol validation and correlation with faecal cortisol metabolites.. Animal 2015 Jun;9(6):1059-64.
    doi: 10.1017/S1751731115000294pubmed: 25997530google scholar: lookup
  21. Comin A, Veronesi MC, Montillo M, Faustini M, Valentini S, Cairoli F, Prandi A. Hair cortisol level as a retrospective marker of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity in horse foals.. Vet J 2012 Oct;194(1):131-2.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2012.04.006pubmed: 22633175google scholar: lookup
  22. Fourie NH, Brown JL, Jolly CJ, Phillips-Conroy JE, Rogers J, Bernstein RM. Sources of variation in hair cortisol in wild and captive non-human primates.. Zoology (Jena) 2016 Apr;119(2):119-125.
    doi: 10.1016/j.zool.2016.01.001pubmed: 26884274google scholar: lookup
  23. Lafferty DJ, Laudenslager ML, Mowat G, Heard D, Belant JL. Sex, Diet, and the Social Environment: Factors Influencing Hair Cortisol Concentration in Free-Ranging Black Bears (Ursus americanus).. PLoS One 2015;10(11):e0141489.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0141489pmc: PMC4631324pubmed: 26529405google scholar: lookup
  24. Bacci ML, Nannoni E, Govoni N, Scorrano F, Zannoni A, Forni M, Martelli G, Sardi L. Hair cortisol determination in sows in two consecutive reproductive cycles.. Reprod Biol 2014 Sep;14(3):218-23.
    doi: 10.1016/j.repbio.2014.06.001pubmed: 25152520google scholar: lookup
  25. Ventrella D, Elmi A, Barone F, Carnevali G, Govoni N, Bacci ML. Hair Testosterone and Cortisol Concentrations in Pre- and Post-Rut Roe Deer Bucks: Correlations with Blood Levels and Testicular Morphometric Parameters.. Animals (Basel) 2018 Jul 6;8(7).
    doi: 10.3390/ani8070113pmc: PMC6071184pubmed: 29986391google scholar: lookup
  26. Banse HE, Getachew F, Levy M, Smits J. Influence of season and pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction on hair cortisol concentration in horses.. Domest Anim Endocrinol 2020 Jul;72:106375.
    doi: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2019.07.003pubmed: 31431311google scholar: lookup
  27. Gardela J, Carbajal A, Tallo-Parra O, Olvera-Maneu S, Álvarez-Rodríguez M, Jose-Cunilleras E, López-Béjar M. Temporary Relocation during Rest Periods: Relocation Stress and Other Factors Influence Hair Cortisol Concentrations in Horses.. Animals (Basel) 2020 Apr 8;10(4).
    doi: 10.3390/ani10040642pmc: PMC7222751pubmed: 32276388google scholar: lookup
  28. Munk R, Jensen R.B, Palme R, Christensen J.W. The effect of sex and time of day on testosterone concentrations in equine saliva and serum. Comp. Exerc. Physiol. 2016;12:177–182.
    doi: 10.3920/CEP160020google scholar: lookup
  29. Waddington B, Penitente-Filho JM, Neves J, Pinho RO, Chaya AY, Maitan PP, Silveira CO, Neves MG, Guimarães S, de Carvalho GR, Guimarães JD. Testosterone serum profile, semen characteristics and testicular biometry of Mangalarga Marchador stallions in a tropical environment.. Reprod Domest Anim 2017 Apr;52(2):335-343.
    doi: 10.1111/rda.12918pubmed: 28111814google scholar: lookup
  30. Aurich J, Wulf M, Ille N, Erber R, von Lewinski M, Palme R, Aurich C. Effects of season, age, sex, and housing on salivary cortisol concentrations in horses.. Domest Anim Endocrinol 2015 Jul;52:11-6.
    doi: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2015.01.003pubmed: 25700267google scholar: lookup
  31. Carroll CL, Huntington PJ. Body condition scoring and weight estimation of horses.. Equine Vet J 1988 Jan;20(1):41-5.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1988.tb01451.xpubmed: 3366105google scholar: lookup
  32. Buchanan K.L, Goldsmith A.R. Noninvasive endocrine data for behavioural studies: The importance of validation. Anim. Behav. 2004;67:183–185.
    doi: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2003.09.002google scholar: lookup
  33. Becker-Birck M, Schmidt A, Lasarzik J, Aurich J, Möstl E, Aurich C. Cortisol release and heart rate variability in sport horses participating in equestrian competitions. J. Vet. Behav. Clin. Appl. Res. 2013;8:87–94.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jveb.2012.05.002google scholar: lookup
  34. Skoluda N, Dettenborn L, Stalder T, Kirschbaum C. Elevated hair cortisol concentrations in endurance athletes.. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2012 May;37(5):611-7.
    doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2011.09.001pubmed: 21944954google scholar: lookup
  35. Cymbaluk NF, Christison GI. Environmental effects on thermoregulation and nutrition of horses.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 1990 Aug;6(2):355-72.
    doi: 10.1016/S0749-0739(17)30546-1pubmed: 2202497google scholar: lookup
  36. Montillo M, Comin A, Corazzin M, Peric T, Faustini M, Veronesi M.C, Valentini S, Bustaffa M, Prandi A. The Effect of temperature, rainfall, and light conditions on hair cortisol concentrations in newborn foals. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2014;34:774–778.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2014.01.011google scholar: lookup
  37. Schubach K.M, Cooke R.F, Brandao A.P, Lippolis K, Hinchliff M.T, Bohnert D.W, Cerri R.L.A. Using hair cortisol concentrations to assess the adrenocortical stress response in beef cattle administered corticotrophin-release hormone. J. Anim. Sci. 2016;94:109.
    doi: 10.2527/jam2016-0230google scholar: lookup
  38. Hannan MA, Murase H, Sato F, Tsogtgerel M, Kawate N, Nambo Y. Age related and seasonal changes of plasma concentrations of insulin-like peptide 3 and testosterone from birth to early-puberty in Thoroughbred male horses.. Theriogenology 2019 Jul 1;132:212-217.
    doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2019.04.014pubmed: 31029851google scholar: lookup
  39. Gerlach T, Aurich JE. Regulation of seasonal reproductive activity in the stallion, ram and hamster.. Anim Reprod Sci 2000 Mar 15;58(3-4):197-213.
    doi: 10.1016/S0378-4320(99)00093-7pubmed: 10708895google scholar: lookup
  40. Roser JF. Endocrine basis for testicular function in the stallion.. Theriogenology 1997 Oct 1;48(5):883-92.
    doi: 10.1016/S0093-691X(97)00309-9pubmed: 16728180google scholar: lookup
  41. Schmidt K, Deichsel K, de Oliveira RA, Aurich J, Ille N, Aurich C. Effects of environmental temperature and season on hair coat characteristics, physiologic and reproductive parameters in Shetland pony stallions.. Theriogenology 2017 Jul 15;97:170-178.
    doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2017.04.035pubmed: 28583602google scholar: lookup
  42. Brinkmann L, Gerken M, Riek A. Adaptation strategies to seasonal changes in environmental conditions of a domesticated horse breed, the Shetland pony (Equus ferus caballus).. J Exp Biol 2012 Apr 1;215(Pt 7):1061-8.
    doi: 10.1242/jeb.064832pubmed: 22399650google scholar: lookup
  43. Boonstra R, Lane JE, Boutin S, Bradley A, Desantis L, Newman AE, Soma KK. Plasma DHEA levels in wild, territorial red squirrels: seasonal variation and effect of ACTH.. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2008 Aug;158(1):61-7.
    doi: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2008.05.004pubmed: 18558404google scholar: lookup
  44. Hau M, Stoddard ST, Soma KK. Territorial aggression and hormones during the non-breeding season in a tropical bird.. Horm Behav 2004 Jan;45(1):40-9.
    doi: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2003.08.002pubmed: 14733890google scholar: lookup
  45. Arena I, Marliani G, Sabioni S, Gabai G, Bucci D, Accorsi P.A. Assessment of horses’ welfare: Behavioral, hormonal, and husbandry aspects. J. Vet. Behav. 2021;41:82–90.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jveb.2021.01.006google scholar: lookup
  46. Almeida PE, Weber PS, Burton JL, Zanella AJ. Depressed DHEA and increased sickness response behaviors in lame dairy cows with inflammatory foot lesions.. Domest Anim Endocrinol 2008 Jan;34(1):89-99.
    doi: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2006.11.006pubmed: 17229542google scholar: lookup
  47. Mehta PH, Josephs RA. Testosterone and cortisol jointly regulate dominance: evidence for a dual-hormone hypothesis.. Horm Behav 2010 Nov;58(5):898-906.
    doi: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2010.08.020pubmed: 20816841google scholar: lookup
  48. Mehta P.H, Prasad S. The dual-hormone hypothesis: A brief review and future research agenda. Curr. Opin. Behav. Sci. 2015;3:163–168.
    doi: 10.1016/j.cobeha.2015.04.008google scholar: lookup
  49. Leary C.J, Knapp R. The stress of elaborate male traits: Integrating glucocorticoids with androgen-based models of sexual selection. Anim. Behav. 2014;89:85–92.
    doi: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2013.12.017google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.
  1. Medill SA, Janz DM, McLoughlin PD. Hair Cortisol Concentrations in Feral Horses and the Influence of Physiological and Social Factors.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Jun 27;13(13).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13132133pubmed: 37443930google scholar: lookup
  2. Medill SA, Janz DM, McLoughlin PD. Hair Cortisol and Testosterone Concentrations in Relation to Maturity and Breeding Status of Male Feral Horses.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Jun 27;13(13).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13132129pubmed: 37443926google scholar: lookup
  3. Olvera-Maneu S, Carbajal A, Serres-Corral P, López-Béjar M. Cortisol Variations to Estimate the Physiological Stress Response in Horses at a Traditional Equestrian Event.. Animals (Basel) 2023 Jan 24;13(3).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13030396pubmed: 36766285google scholar: lookup
  4. Lanci A, Mariella J, Ellero N, Faoro A, Peric T, Prandi A, Freccero F, Castagnetti C. Hair Cortisol and DHEA-S in Foals and Mares as a Retrospective Picture of Feto-Maternal Relationship under Physiological and Pathological Conditions.. Animals (Basel) 2022 May 14;12(10).
    doi: 10.3390/ani12101266pubmed: 35625111google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,357 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.