Non invasive measurement of cortisol in the domestic species : review of literature

Abstract

The measurement of cortisol is most commonly used in assessing the stress level in animals. Continually increasing welfare standards in both companion animal and production animal sectors worldwide has put more focus on the accurate evaluation of stress in order to be able to produce legislation governing minimal standards of welfare that animal owners, farms, zoos, veterinarians among others must meet. In Europe bodies such as the European Food safety authority have a specific Panel on Animal Health and Welfare which works on regulating welfare standards of animals, and the EU has produced legislation in a bid to standardise welfare across its member states, in order for this to happen more research into cortisol measurement has been undertaken.