Date of Publication
3-2026
Document Type
Bachelor's Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science in Biology
Subject Categories
Biology
College
College of Science
Department/Unit
Biology
Thesis Advisor
Bridget C. Arellano
Defense Panel Chair
Jessica Joyce R. De Guia
Defense Panel Member
Helenar G. Chan
Mary Jane C. Flores
Abstract (English)
The global population of free-roaming and shelter cats (Felis catus) increases by the day, displacing more cats from their natural environment and increasing their susceptibility to stress. Cortisol is one of the main biomarkers for stress while hair cortisol concentration (HCC) has been one of the gold standards in assessing stress levels in cats across different living environments. The objective of this study is to compare the stress levels experienced by free-roaming and shelter cats through HCC analysis. A total of 21 free-roaming cats from Adriatico Street and DLSU PUSA organizations and 18 shelter cats from Noah’s Ark Dog and Cat Shelter were examined. Hair samples were collected via brushing to minimize stress induction and were processed using Salimetrics Salivary Cortisol ELISA kits. Statistical analyses were conducted to determine statistical and biological significance of the differences in HCC between both living environments. Shelter cats (M = 87.16 pg/mg) were found to experience higher stress levels than free-roaming cats (M = 48.80 pg/mg). Despite variations between sample size and sampling methods, independent t-test and Cohen’s d quantification revealed statistically significant differences (p = 8.17 x 10-9) and presence of significant biological gap (d = 2.38) in HCC and stress levels when living environment is the main variable of concern. While cats from both living environments are displaced from their natural habitat, the confined spaces in shelters coupled with the inability to perform their natural habits in the wild and the addition of human and other animal interaction, were likely the main cause of excessive stress in shelter cats. Meanwhile, the less restrictive free-roaming environment offers positive long-term health benefits that can reduce stress. The current ELISA workflow has passed the validation for accuracy, precision, and repeatability, showing promising application for future research. Future studies can include more shelter and free-roaming cat environment organizations, explore key relationships between demographic profile, behavioral information, and medical background to HCC and stress levels among cats. Further validation of the workflow can provide more robust examination of the validity and reliability of the current workflow.
Keywords: ELISA, shelter & free-roaming cats, cortisol, hair cortisol concentration
Abstract Format
html
Abstract (Filipino)
Ang pandaigdigang populasyon ng mga pusang gala at nasa silungan (Felis catus) ay tumataas araw-araw, dahilan para mas marami ang malayo sa kanilang likas na kapaligiran at tumaas ang panganib ng stress. Ang cortisol ay isa sa mga pangunahing biomarker ng stress, habang ang konsentrasyon ng cortisol sa buhok (HCC) ay itinuturing na isa sa mga gold standard sa pagtatasa ng antas ng stress sa mga pusa. Layunin ng pananaliksik na ito na ihambing ang antas ng stress na nararanasan ng mga pusang gala at nasa silungan sa pamamagitan ng pagtatasa ng HCC. Isinuri ang 21 pusang gala mula sa mga organisasyong Adriatico Street at DLSU PUSA at 18 pusang nasa silungan mula sa Noah’s Ark Dog and Cat Shelter. Ang mga balahibo ay kinuha sa pamamagitan ng pagsusuklay upang mabawasan ang stress at pinroseso gamit ang Salimetrics Salivary Cortisol ELISA kits. Isinagawa ang pagsusuring istatistikal upang matukoy ang istatistikal at biyolohikal na kabuluhan ng pagkakaiba sa HCC ng mga pusa mula sa dalawang kapaligiran. Nakita na ang mga pusang nasa silungan (M = 87.16 pg/mg) ay mayroong mas mataas na antas ng stress kumpara sa mga pusang gala (M = 48.80 pg/mg). Sa kabila ng pagkakaiba sa laki ng sampol at sa paraan ng sampling, natuklasan mula sa independent t-test at Cohen’s d quantification na mayroong makabuluhang istatistikal na pagkakaiba (p = 8.17 x 10-9) at biological gap (d = 2.38) sa HCC at antas ng stress kapag ang kapaligiran ang pangunahing baryabol na sinusuri. Bagama’t ang mga pusa mula sa parehong kapaligiran ay nalayo sa kanilang likas na tirahan, ang masisikip na silungan, kawalan ng kakayahang gawin ang natural na gawi, at ang pakikihalubilo sa mga tao’t ibang hayop ang nakikitang pangunahing sanhi ng labis na stress sa mga pusang nasa silungan. Samantala, ang hindi gaanong mahigpit na kapaligiran ng mga pusang gala ay nagbibigay ng positibo’t pangmatagalang benepisyo sa kalusugan na nakababawas ng stress. Ang kasalukuyang daloy ng ELISA ay nakapasa sa balidasyon nakatuon sa kawastuhan at katiyakan na nagpapakita ng maaasahang pag-uulit sa mga pananaliksik sa hinaharap. Iminumungkahi na dagdagan ang sample size, siyasatin ang ugnayan ng demograpiko, gawi, at medikal na background sa HCC at antas ng stress ng mga pusa. Ang karagdagang balidasyon ng kasalukuyang daloy ng ELISA ay magbibigay ng mas matibay na pagsusuri sa bisa at katiyakan ng daloy.
Mga Susing Salita: ELISA, pusang gala, pusang nasa silungan, cortisol, konsentrasyon ng cortisol sa buhok
Abstract Format
html
Language
English
Format
Electronic
Keywords
Hydrocortisone; Cats—Physiology; Cats—Behavior therapy; Animal shelters
Recommended Citation
Crisostomo, L. C., Crucillo, P. B., & Dadios, J. C. (2026). Assessing stress in cats: A comparative analysis of hair cortisol concentration in free-roaming and sheltered environments. Retrieved from https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etdb_bio/195
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Embargo Period
4-13-2027
