*2.9. HPA Axis Endocrine Status*

Blood samples were collected; plasma was obtained by centrifugation and stored at −80 ◦C until corticosterone analysis. Corticosterone content (ng/mL) was analyzed using a commercial kit (Corticosterone EIA Immunodiagnostic Systems Ltd., Boldon, UK) and read at 450 nm of absorbance with Varioskan LUX ESW 1.00.38 (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Massachusetts, MA, USA)
