Abstract
Bovine interferon-αI1 has extensive sequence and functional homology with the antiluteolytic protein, bovine trophoblast protein-1. Because of the possible use of interferon-αI1 as a drug that supplements embryonic secretion of bovine trophoblast protein-1, interferon-αI1 was tested for other biological actions that might affect its usefulness as a fertility-enhancing treatment. Experiments were performed to evaluate whether interferon-αI1 causes hyperthermia and an acute depression in circulating concentrations of progesterone. In four experiments, intramuscular administration of interferon-αI1 (range 1.25 to 20mg) caused hyperthermia; average peak body temperatures of 40 to 40.4°C occurred 2.5 to 6h after injection. Temperatures returned to baseline 12 to 16h later. The rise in rectal temperature could be reduced, but not totally alleviated, with concomitant administration of an inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis. The maximal hyperthermic response was similar when interferon-αI1 was delivered via osmotic minipumps or through a series of intramuscular injections. The hyperthermic response decreased with repeated daily exposure to interferon-αI1. The increase in rectal temperatures was associated temporally with a decrease in serum progesterone. Effects of interferon-αI1 on body temperature and circulating progesterone could possibly limit its effectiveness in enhancing fertility.
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