Hildebrand Weronika Helena, Zaleśny Grzegorz
Institute of Biology, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 5B Kożuchowska Street, 51-631, Wrocław, Poland.
Front Zool. 2025 Aug 13;22(1):20. doi: 10.1186/s12983-025-00576-0.
Stereotypical behaviours in animals, often linked to stress, are repetitive actions that may lack a clear purpose. This review examines the relationship between cortisol levels, a key stress hormone, and stereotypic behaviour across various animal species, including zoo mammals, horses, and dogs. A total of 99 studies were analysed to understand whether elevated cortisol levels are associated with stereotypies. While many studies report a positive correlation between cortisol and stereotypical behaviour, more detailed research suggests that these behaviours may also serve as coping mechanisms, potentially reducing cortisol levels. The findings highlight the complexity of this relationship, as some studies show a negative or no correlation at all. To address these inconsistencies, this review critically examines the existing evidence and aims to provide a clearer understanding of the relationship. The review emphasises the need for further research, including long-term studies and the inclusion of additional hormonal markers, to clarify whether stereotypical behaviours only reflect chronic stress or also represent stress-relieving adaptive responses.
动物的刻板行为通常与压力有关，是一些可能缺乏明确目的的重复性动作。本综述探讨了关键应激激素皮质醇水平与包括动物园哺乳动物、马和狗在内的各种动物物种的刻板行为之间的关系。总共分析了99项研究，以了解皮质醇水平升高是否与刻板行为有关。虽然许多研究报告了皮质醇与刻板行为之间存在正相关，但更详细的研究表明，这些行为也可能作为应对机制，潜在地降低皮质醇水平。研究结果突出了这种关系的复杂性，因为一些研究显示出负相关或根本没有相关性。为了解决这些不一致之处，本综述批判性地审视了现有证据，旨在更清楚地理解这种关系。该综述强调需要进一步研究，包括长期研究和纳入其他激素指标，以阐明刻板行为是否仅反映慢性应激，还是也代表缓解压力的适应性反应。
