Abstract
The contribution of each of the pro-inflammatory cytokines to specific components of the host response to infection remains unclear. Therefore, the effects of single doses of cytokines were studied in dwarf goats. The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of r.BoIL−1β, r.BoIL−2 and r.BoIFN−γ on plasma zinc and iron concentrations, white blood cell counts, and body temperature. The i.v. injection of r.BolL−1β (1 μg kg−1) resulted in an immediate fever which reached peak values 45 and 180 min after injection. Compared with fever induced by r.BoIL−1β, that caused by r.BoIFN−γ (2 μg kg−1) was delayed in onset. Although the biphasic fever after r.BoIFN−γ was more pronounced than after r.BoIL−1β, the reduction in plasma trace metal concentrations was less than after r.BoIL−1β, r.BoIL−2 (1 μg kg−1 i.v.) did not induce changes in these parameters. The haematologic changes observed revealed a cell type and cytokine specific pattern. The delayed onset of the effects induced by IFN−γ suggests that they may be mediated through the induction of other mediators of inflammation.