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 30days of age, and the samples were analyzed by radioimmunoassay to measure the cortisol concentrations. The mean cortisol concentration of hair collected at 30days 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. © 2014 Elsevier Inc.
The Effect of temperature, rainfall, and light conditions on hair cortisol concentrations in newborn foals
COMIN, Antonella;CORAZZIN, Mirco;Peric, T.;PRANDI, Alberto
2014-01-01
Abstract
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 30days of age, and the samples were analyzed by radioimmunoassay to measure the cortisol concentrations. The mean cortisol concentration of hair collected at 30days 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. © 2014 Elsevier Inc.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
