The use of interferon modulates the negative effects of heat stress on poultry production

A trial was conducted with broilers reared in two temperature environments; one was thermoneutral and the other had cycling ambient temperatures. Human interferon alpha (HuIFN-alpha) was added to the drinking water daily at four dose levels (0.0, 0.01, 0.1 and 1.0 international units (IU) per ml of drinking water). The trial began with 21 day old chicks housed either in a thermoneutral (24 degrees C) or a cycling ambient temperature (24-36 degrees C) environment. Interferon added to water at the highest concentration (1.0 IU/ml) improved surviability of birds in the cycling ambient temperature (24-36 degrees C) environment (P < 0.05). Birds housed in the cycling (24-36 degrees C) environment, drinking the lowest concentration of IFN-alpha 0.01 IU/ml, had a significantly improved weight gain-to-feed ratio. Oral IFN-alpha reduced the cost of production for birds reared in a cycling ambient temperature environment.