AN ENZYME-LINKED IMMUNOSORBENT ASSAY FOR CORTISOL IN THE SALIVA OF MAN AND DOMESTIC FARM ANIMALS

Abstract

ABSTRACT An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay has been developed for the direct assay of cortisol in the saliva of man, sheep, calf and pig. The assay is sensitive (∼1 pg), highly specific and reproducible, and has the advantage over radioimmunosassay in being cheaper and quicker to carry out. The relatively-non invasive method of collecting saliva on cotton buds coupled with simple assay equipment provide a good potential for assessing cortisol status in studies on stress and welfare in farm animals as well as the possibility of monitoring cortisol status in mammals generally.