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Home / Equine Research Bank / Domest Anim Endocrinol / Monitoring the circadian rhythm of serum and salivary cortis...
Domestic animal endocrinology2013; 45(1); 38-42; doi: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2013.04.001

Monitoring the circadian rhythm of serum and salivary cortisol concentrations in the horse.

Abstract: Daily fluctuations of cortisol concentration in the blood or saliva have been repeatedly reported. However, several contradictions in the existing literature appear on this subject. The present study was performed to definitively establish options for testing adrenocortical function. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate parallel circadian rhythms in salivary and serum cortisol concentrations during a 24-h period. Twenty horses were examined under the same conditions. Blood and saliva samples were taken every 2 h for 24 h to determine the daily changes in cortisol concentrations of saliva and serum at rest and to determine the relationship between salivary and serum cortisol levels. Cosinor analysis of group mean data confirmed a significant circadian component for both serum and salivary cortisol concentrations (P < 0.001 in both cases). The serum cortisol circadian rhythm had an acrophase at 10:50 AM (95% CI, 10:00 AM-11:40 AM), a MESOR of 22.67 ng/mL, and an amplitude of 11.93 ng/mL. The salivary cortisol circadian rhythm had an acrophase at 10:00 AM (95% CI, 9:00 AM-11:00 AM), a MESOR of 0.52 ng/mL, and an amplitude of 0.12 ng/mL. We found a significant but weak association between salivary and serum cortisol concentrations; the Pearson correlation coefficient was 0.32 (P < 0.001). The use of salivary cortisol level as an indicator of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity may be warranted. However, the salivary cortisol levels are more likely to be correlated with free plasma cortisol than with the total plasma cortisol concentration.
Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2013-05-04 PubMed ID: 23688596DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2013.04.001Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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.

The research study examines the daily changes in cortisol levels in both the blood (serum) and saliva of horses over a 24-hour period. It identifies a circadian rhythm in these cortisol levels and compares the relationship between salivary and serum cortisol concentrations.

Research Methodology

  • The study involved twenty horses that were examined under identical conditions to ensure consistency in the research data.
  • Both blood and saliva samples were taken every two hours over a span of 24 hours with the objective to track the daily changes in cortisol concentrations when the horses are at rest.
  • Advanced statistical technique known as cosinor analysis was employed on the group data to confirm the existence of a significant circadian component in both the serum and salivary cortisol concentrations.

Key Findings

  • The cosinor analysis revealed that both the serum and salivary cortisol levels exhibited a significant circadian rhythm, with the highest point (acrophase) for serum cortisol at 10:50 AM and for salivary cortisol at 10:00 AM.
  • The overall mean serum cortisol level (or MESOR) was determined to be 22.67 ng/mL, with an amplitude (difference between peak and trough) of 11.93 ng/mL. The overall mean salivary cortisol level was found to be 0.52 ng/mL with an amplitude of 0.12 ng/mL.
  • The study also found a significant but weak association between the salivary and serum cortisol concentrations, with a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.32.

Implications and Conclusions

  • The results of this pioneering study suggest that salivary cortisol levels may be a valid marker of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity in horses.
  • However, despite a significant correlation between salivary and serum cortisol levels, the association was weak, implying that salivary cortisol levels may be more directly related to free plasma cortisol levels than with total plasma cortisol concentrations.
  • This finding expands our understanding of cortisol fluctuations in horses and informs better methodologies for testing adrenocortical function in these animals.

Cite This Article

APA
Bohák Z, Szabó F, Beckers JF, Melo de Sousa N, Kutasi O, Nagy K, Szenci O. (2013). Monitoring the circadian rhythm of serum and salivary cortisol concentrations in the horse. Domest Anim Endocrinol, 45(1), 38-42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.domaniend.2013.04.001

Publication

Domestic animal endocrinology
ISSN: 1879-0054
NlmUniqueID: 8505191
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 45
Issue: 1
Pages: 38-42
PII: S0739-7240(13)00051-9

Researcher Affiliations

Bohák, Zs
  • Clinic for Large Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, H-2225 Üllő - Dóra major, Hungary. bohak.zsofia@aotk.szie.hu
Szabó, F
    Beckers, J-F
      Melo de Sousa, N
        Kutasi, O
          Nagy, K
            Szenci, O

              MeSH Terms

              • Animals
              • Circadian Rhythm
              • Female
              • Horses / metabolism
              • Hydrocortisone / analysis
              • Hydrocortisone / blood
              • Male
              • Saliva / chemistry

              Citations

              This article has been cited 22 times.
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