The relationship between CORT response and oxidative stress.

<p><b>a</b> A significant positive relationship between an individual’s Oxidative Index (an integrative index of plasma oxidative status) and CORT response was observed in common side-blotched lizards, indicating that increased stress reactivity corresponds with elevated oxidative stress (<i>P</i> = 0.03, <i>n</i> = 63). <b>b</b> The presence of reactive oxygen metabolites (measured as mM of H₂O₂) exhibited a significant positive relationship with CORT response (<i>P</i> = 0.02, <i>n</i> = 63), suggesting that stress-induced increases in the presence of reactive oxygen metabolites may drive individual variation in oxidative stress in this species.