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EVIDENCE FOR EXTENDED MAINTENANCE OF THE CORPUS LUTEUM BY UTERINE INFUSION OF A RECOMBINANT TROPHOBLAST α-INTERFERON (TROPHOBLASTIN) IN SHEEP
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1990
Year
FertilityImmunologyGynecologyPathologyVeterinary ResearchReproductive BiologyEmbryologyReproductive EndocrinologyReproductive PhysiologyNatural InterferonNatural OtpPublic HealthAnimal PhysiologyAnimal ReproductionTheriogenologyAnimal ScienceUterine ReceptivityPathogenesisVeterinary ScienceGenetic EngineeringAnimal HealthIn SheepMedicine
Ovine trophoblastin (oTP) is a natural interferon of the class-II interferon-alpha subfamily. Recombinant ovine trophoblastin (r.oTP), produced by genetic engineering, was purified by anion-exchange HPLC. The product exhibited a high degree of homogeneity (greater than 98%), and similar immunological cross reaction and antiviral activity to natural oTP. Antiluteolytic activity of r.oTP was established by intrauterine injection in two groups of cyclic recipient ewes. Control group A included 10 ewes which received sterile BSA in saline twice daily for 8 days (from day 10-12 of oestrous cycle). Experimental group B included 17 ewes which received 80 micrograms (4 ewes), 170 micrograms (8 ewes) or 340 micrograms (5 ewes) r.oTP daily for 8 days. Maintenance of functional corpora lutea for 1 month or more was observed in 4 out of 5 ewes which received high doses of r.oTP. These results indicate that oTP alone extends luteal secretory activity.