Seasonal variation in cortisol biomarkers in Hispanic mothers living in an agricultural region

N. Smith, Marissa; S. Wilder, Carly; C. Griffith, William; Workman, Tomomi; Thompson, Beti; Dills, Russel; Onstad, Gretchen; Vredevoogd, Melinda; M. Vigoren, Eric; M. Faustman, Elaine

doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.1568814.v2

ibmk_a_1068863_sm8315.pdf (99.88 kB)

Seasonal variation in cortisol biomarkers in Hispanic mothers living in an agricultural region

Version 2 2015-10-08, 12:01

Version 1 2015-07-04, 00:00

journal contribution

posted on 2015-10-08, 12:01 authored by Marissa N. Smith, Carly S. Wilder, William C. Griffith, Tomomi Workman, Beti Thompson, Russel Dills, Gretchen Onstad, Melinda Vredevoogd, Eric M. Vigoren, Elaine M. Faustman

Context: Characterization of stress exposure requires understanding seasonal variability in stress biomarkers.

Objective: To compare acute and chronic stress biomarkers between two seasons in a cohort of rural, Hispanic mothers.

Methods: Stress questionnaires and cortisol measurements (hair, blood and saliva) were collected in the summer and fall.

Results: Cortisol biomarkers were significantly different and stress questionnaires were significantly correlated between seasons.

Discussion: The variability in cortisol and relative stability of questionnaires between seasons may indicate that cortisol responds to subtle stressors not addressed in questionnaires.

Conclusions: There are significant differences in stress biomarkers in our cohort between seasons.