Diurnal Variation in Peripheral (Hair) vs Central (Saliva) HPA Axis Cortisol Concentrations

Abstract

Cortisol concentrations in hair and saliva collected from male and female adults over a 15-hour period were compared for differences in overall level and cyclic pattern. Typical diurnal fluctuations were noted for both salivary and hair cortisol, with some individual differences that are congruent with the previous literature. Issues of the link between central and peripheral HPA axes are raised for discussion and further investigation, and hypothetical explanations for the diurnal variability shown in these two sets of cortisol secretion patterns are discussed from an evolutionary advantage perspective.