Seasonal variation in cortisol biomarkers in Hispanic mothers living in an agricultural region

<div><p></p><p><i>Context</i>: Characterization of stress exposure requires understanding seasonal variability in stress biomarkers.</p><p><i>Objective</i>: To compare acute and chronic stress biomarkers between two seasons in a cohort of rural, Hispanic mothers.</p><p><i>Methods</i>: Stress questionnaires and cortisol measurements (hair, blood and saliva) were collected in the summer and fall.</p><p><i>Results</i>: Cortisol biomarkers were significantly different and stress questionnaires were significantly correlated between seasons.</p><p><i>Discussion</i>: The variability in cortisol and relative stability of questionnaires between seasons may indicate that cortisol responds to subtle stressors not addressed in questionnaires.</p><p><i>Conclusions</i>: There are significant differences in stress biomarkers in our cohort between seasons.</p></div