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Extraction and Analysis of Cortisol from Human and Monkey Hair
Published on: January 24, 2014
Cortisol and Catecholamine Concentrations Are Affected by Repeated Relocations of Adult Female Rhesus Monkeys (Macaca
John P Capitanio1, Daniel J Tancredi2, Jasmin Zarrabi1
1California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, California, USA.
American Journal of Primatology
|May 29, 2025
Summary
Weekly relocations of rhesus monkeys caused significant stress responses, including elevated urinary and hair cortisol. These findings challenge the view of relocations as benign and suggest minimizing them to improve animal welfare.
Area of Science:
- Animal behavior and welfare
- Primate research
- Stress physiology
Background:
- Relocations are common in captive primate facilities.
- Previous studies suggested relocations are benign, causing only transient stress.
- However, frequent relocations have been linked to negative health and behavioral outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the physiological stress responses of rhesus monkeys to frequent relocations.
- To assess the cumulative effects of repeated relocations on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
Main Methods:
- Adult female rhesus monkeys were relocated weekly for several months over three years.
- Urinary cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine concentrations were measured.
- Hair cortisol concentrations were analyzed to assess long-term stress.
Main Results:
- Urinary cortisol and epinephrine showed transient elevations in Years 1 and 3, with no changes in Year 2.
- Norepinephrine levels were elevated across all three years.
- Hair cortisol concentrations increased significantly in Years 2 and 3, indicating cumulative stress.
Conclusions:
- Repeated weekly relocations induce significant physiological stress in rhesus monkeys.
- These findings suggest that relocations are not benign and can have cumulative effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
- Minimizing relocations is recommended to enhance the welfare of captive primates.
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