Effect of Low-Dose Human Interferon-alpha on Shipping Fever of Thoroughbred Racehorses.
To assess the effect of human interferon-alpha (IFNα) on shipping fever of Thoroughbred racehorses subjected to long-distance transportation, an IFNα preparation was orally administered to 48 horses three times (once daily, 3 successive days) before transportation (IFNα group). In the control group (25 horses), maltose was administered in the same way. These treatments induced no abnormal findings in Thoroughbred racehorses before transportation. Immediately after transportation, significant increases in rectal temperature were observed in both treatment groups, whereas the rectal temperature of the IFNα group tended to be lower than that of the control group. Although WBC, Fbg, and SAA immediately after transportation were significantly increased due to transportation in both groups, the extent of the increases in the IFNα group was significantly smaller than in the control group. Long-distance transportation had a relatively profound impact on Thoroughbred racehorses, which was mitigated by IFNα treatment.
Racehorse Clinic, Ritto Training Center, Japan Racing Association, 2500-2 Mikoma, Ritto-shi, Shiga 520-3085, Japan.
Makoto
M
Akai
Microbiology Division, Epizootic Research Center, Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, 1400-4 Shiba, Shimotsuke-shi, Tochigi 329-0412, Japan.
Seiji
S
Hobo
Racehorse Clinic, Ritto Training Center, Japan Racing Association, 2500-2 Mikoma, Ritto-shi, Shiga 520-3085, Japan.
Shinya
S
Wada
human interferon-alpha; low-dose; oral administration; shipping fever; thoroughbred racehorses