Cortisol Recombinant Mouse mAb (SDT-5472)

Cortisol, the primary glucocorticoid regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, serves as a core diagnostic biomarker for both human and veterinary clinical practice, covering endocrine disorder screening, stress assessment and therapeutic monitoring.

In human medicine, serum, salivary and urinary cortisol assays are standard tools to differentiate hypercortisolism (Cushing’s syndrome) and hypocortisolism (Addison’s disease). Morning serum cortisol screens baseline adrenal function; midnight salivary cortisol detects autonomous over-secretion with minimal invasive sampling, while 24-hour urinary free cortisol confirms sustained hormone excess. Dynamic tests including dexamethasone suppression and ACTH stimulation rely on cortisol readouts to distinguish primary adrenal lesions from pituitary dysfunction. Beyond endocrinology, cortisol levels reflect physiological stress from trauma, critical illness, anxiety and sleep disturbance, supporting mental health and intensive care evaluation. Exogenous steroid interference must be excluded to avoid misdiagnosis.

For pets (dogs, cats and horses), cortisol testing targets hyperadrenocorticism and hypoadrenocorticism, two prevalent canine adrenal disorders. Baseline serum cortisol acts as a quick rule-out marker, and post-ACTH stimulation cortisol provides definitive diagnosis with high sensitivity. Non-invasive matrices—saliva, faeces and hair cortisol—are widely applied to evaluate acute and chronic stress, animal welfare, shelter adaptation and competitive sports load without blood draws. Veterinary interpretation requires species-specific reference ranges, as stress from handling often elevates basal readings, necessitating paired dynamic testing for confirmation.

Across humans and animals, cortisol quantitation bridges pathological endocrine defects and adaptive stress responses, guiding differential diagnosis, treatment adjustment and long-term health surveillance, though diurnal rhythms and sampling matrix limitations demand comprehensive clinical correlation.