A Novel Microencapsulated Bovine Recombinant Interferon Tau Formulation for Luteolysis Modulation in Cattle

Early embryonic loss is a major cause of reproductive inefficiency in cattle, primarily due to premature luteolysis. Interferon tau (IFN-τ), secreted by the trophoblast, plays a critical role in maternal recognition of pregnancy by maintaining corpus luteum function. However, its practical application has been limited by its rapid degradation and short half-life in vivo. Here, we developed a novel formulation of recombinant bovine IFN-τ, combining chitosan-based microencapsulation with starch-chitosan hydrogel delivery, enabling sustained intrauterine release. This dual-delivery strategy offers a significant improvement over conventional IFN-τ administration methods that rely on repeated intrauterine infusions of soluble protein. The rbIFN-τ was expressed in Pichia pastoris, purified to 90.1% homogeneity, and structurally validated via homology modeling and molecular docking, confirming its interaction with type I interferon receptors. The encapsulated formulation retained antiviral activity, stimulated transcription of interferon-stimulated genes (PKR, OAS1, OAS2), and showed sustained release in vitro for up to 26 days. In vivo evaluation demonstrated safety and biological efficacy, with treated cattle showing inhibited luteolysis, sustained serum progesterone levels, and preserved corpus luteum integrity. This formulation represents a promising biotechnological approach to improve reproductive efficiency through a long-acting, species-specific IFN-τ delivery system.