Hair cortisol concentrations in clipped and combed hair and associations with characteristics, health status and stress in domestic cats

Sammanfattning

Hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) are measured to assess long-term HPA-axis activity and may represent a valuable non-invasive tool to evaluate chronic stress in cats. This study investigated combing as a novel, low-stress method for HCC assessment, as well as possible associations between HCC and cat characteristics in 167 owned cats. Hair was sampled at veterinary clinics through clipping and/or combing the cat, or at home by the owner combing the cat. A questionnaire was sent to cat owners, including inquiries about the cat's sex, health status, and exposure to stress. HCC was quantified using a commercial cortisol assay kit. Despite variations within and between sampling methods, Spearman's correlation and Bland-Altman plots revealed a moderate correlation between clipped and combed samples (rs = 0.61, LOA -5.51 +/- 22.54). In multiple linear regression, variations in HCC were observed based on sex, health status and cat group size. No associations were found between HCC and stress as assessed by owners. Despite study limitations and remaining uncertainty regarding factors influencing HCC, combing presents a convenient approach for evaluating long-term HPA-axis activity in clinical settings. The association between health and HCC suggests alterations in cortisol levels that are related to disease processes and stress-inducing events associated with the disease.

Nyckelord

Cats; Noninvasive measures; Cortisol; Chronic disease; Estrus; Pregnancy

Publicerad i

Scientific Reports
2024, volym: 14, nummer: 1, artikelnummer: 21846
Utgivare: NATURE PORTFOLIO

SLU författare

• Rothlin Zachrisson, Ninni

  • Institutionen för kliniska vetenskaper, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet
    

• Röcklinsberg, Helena

  • Institutionen för tillämpad husdjursvetenskap och välfärd, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet
    

• Jettel, Emma

  • Institutionen för kliniska vetenskaper, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet
    

• Johansson Bergqvist, Felicia

  • Institutionen för kliniska vetenskaper, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet
    

• Ström Holst, Bodil

  • Institutionen för kliniska vetenskaper, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet
    

UKÄ forskningsämne

Klinisk vetenskap

Publikationens identifierare

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-73226-w

Permanent länk till denna sida (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/132863