Effect of Low-Dose Human Interferon-alpha on Shipping Fever of Thoroughbred Racehorses.
Abstract: 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.
Publication Date: 2009-01-09 PubMed ID: 24833959PubMed Central: PMC4013948DOI: 10.1294/jes.19.91Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The researchers conducted a study to investigate the impact of human interferon-alpha (IFNα) on the shipping fever in Thoroughbred racehorses throughout long-distance transport. They found that the treatment substantially mitigated the stress induced by the journey, evident in the horses’ vital signs such as rectal temperature and white blood cells count.
Study Design and Methodology
- The scientists conducted an experimental study featuring two groups of thoroughbred racehorses. They introduced IFNα to one group (48 horses) and maltose as a control to the other (25 horses). The preparation for the test was done over three consecutive days, with each horse receiving oral doses once a day.
- The parameters measured included rectal temperature, white blood cell count (WBC), fibrinogen (Fbg), and serum amyloid A (SAA), which were all taken before and after the transportation.
Findings from the study
- No abnormal findings were observed in the horses prior to the transportation, meaning the dosage of either IFNα or maltose produced no immediate negative health effects.
- Both treatment groups experienced an increase in rectal temperatures immediately after transportation, indicating that long-distance travel introduced stress for the horses. However, the IFNα group showed a less significant rise in temperature compared to the control group.
- Similarly, WBC, Fbg, and SAA levels immediately after transportation increased significantly in both groups. This is a typical physiological response to stress, as these parameters are indicators of inflammation in the body. Yet, the extent of the increases in the IFNα group was significantly less than the control group.
Conclusion from the study
- The results of the study suggest that low-dose human interferon-alpha (IFNα) can mitigate the impact of long-distance transportation stress on Thoroughbred racehorses, as evidenced by the smaller increases in rectal temperatures and inflammation indicators (WBC, Fbg, and SAA). This could potentially improve the overall well-being of the horses during transportation, which is particularly advantageous for racehorses that frequently undergo long-distance travel.
Cite This Article
APA
Akai M, Hobo S, Wada S.
(2009).
Effect of Low-Dose Human Interferon-alpha on Shipping Fever of Thoroughbred Racehorses.
J Equine Sci, 19(4), 91-95.
https://doi.org/10.1294/jes.19.91 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Racehorse Clinic, Ritto Training Center, Japan Racing Association, 2500-2 Mikoma, Ritto-shi, Shiga 520-3085, Japan.
- Microbiology Division, Epizootic Research Center, Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, 1400-4 Shiba, Shimotsuke-shi, Tochigi 329-0412, Japan.
- Racehorse Clinic, Ritto Training Center, Japan Racing Association, 2500-2 Mikoma, Ritto-shi, Shiga 520-3085, Japan.
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This article includes 13 references
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Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Nielsen SS, Alvarez J, Bicout DJ, Calistri P, Canali E, Drewe JA, Garin-Bastuji B, Gonzales Rojas JL, Gortázar Schmidt C, Michel V, Miranda Chueca MÁ, Padalino B, Pasquali P, Roberts HC, Spoolder H, Stahl K, Velarde A, Viltrop A, Winckler C, Earley B, Edwards S, Faucitano L, Marti S, Miranda de La Lama GC, Costa LN, Thomsen PT, Ashe S, Mur L, Van der Stede Y, Herskin M. Welfare of equidae during transport. EFSA J 2022 Sep;20(9):e07444.
- Frazzini S, Riva F, Amadori M. Therapeutic and Prophylactic Use of Oral, Low-Dose IFNs in Species of Veterinary Interest: Back to the Future. Vet Sci 2021 Jun 11;8(6).
- Endo Y, Tsuchiya T, Omura T, Nakai K, Korosue K, Ishimaru M, Ishikawa Y, Hobo S. Effects of pre-shipping marbofloxacin administration on fever and blood properties in healthy Thoroughbreds transported a long distance. J Vet Med Sci 2015 Jan;77(1):75-9.
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