Reproductive effects of chronic administration of murine interferon-gamma.
Daily subcutaneous doses of 0.02, 0.2, or 2 mg/kg/d of recombinant murine interferon-gamma (rmuIFN-gamma) were given to mice on postnatal days 8 through 60 to determine effects on maturation, behavioral/ functional development, and reproductive capacity. Male mice receiving 2 mg/kg/d rmuIFN-gamma had delayed sexual maturation, reduced epididymal and testes weights, reduced sperm count and concentration, and sperm abnormalities (crimped flagellum). Mating performance and fertility were also reduced in the absence of altered histopathology of the testes. Males given 0.2 and 2 mg/kg/d had swelling and ulcerative dermatitis around the urogenital area, which were observed after sexual contact and attributed to a bacterial infection. Motor activity (time spent in movement) was decreased in all mice receiving 2 mg/kg/d. No microscopic changes observed in any organs were attributed to rmuIFN-gamma administration.
Genentech, Inc., So. San Francisco, California 94080, USA.
J L
JL
Bussiere
L M
LM
Hardy
A M
AM
Hoberman
J A
JA
Foss
M S
MS
Christian
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004822:Epididymis / Q000187:drug effects; D005837:Genitalia, Male / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D012741:Sexual Maturation / Q000187:drug effects; D013076:Sperm Count / Q000187:drug effects; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D007371:Interferon-gamma