Bovine Interleukin-1 Alpha (IL-1α) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine belonging to the IL-1 family, which includes IL-1α, IL-1β, and the IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), and plays a central role in initiating and amplifying innate immune responses in cattle (Bos taurus). IL-1α is constitutively expressed in epithelial and barrier tissues and can function as an intracellular alarmin that is released upon cell injury or necrosis, triggering rapid inflammatory signaling. It binds to the IL-1 receptor type 1 (IL-1R1), activating NF-κB and MAPK pathways that promote leukocyte recruitment, endothelial activation, fever, and production of additional pro-inflammatory mediators. In bovine health, IL-1α is particularly relevant in inflammatory conditions such as mastitis, bovine respiratory disease (BRD), metritis, enteric infections, and lameness-associated tissue injury, where it contributes to early neutrophil infiltration and local inflammatory amplification. While essential for pathogen defense and tissue repair, excessive IL-1α signaling can contribute to tissue damage and reduced productivity. As an early mediator of sterile and infectious inflammation, bovine IL-1α serves as a biomarker of tissue injury and innate immune activation. In veterinary and translational research, characterization of bovine IL-1α supports studies of inflammasome-independent inflammatory pathways, host–pathogen interactions, and development of targeted anti-inflammatory or immunomodulatory strategies to improve cattle health, welfare, and disease resilience.