In vitro interferon production by bovine tissues: effects of hydrocortisone.

The effect of hydrocortisone on bovine interferon production in vitro was studied. Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus was used as an inducer. Interferon was assayed by the plaque-reduction method in bovine fetal kidney cultures, using vesicular stomatitis virus as challenge virus. Hydrocortisone decreased interferon production in bovine fetal spleen and peripheral blood leukocyte cultures. Hydrocortisone did not decrease interferon production by bovine alveolar macrophages, in 1 experiment. Properties of viral inhibitors were those of interferon.