A estrongiloidíase é uma parasitose intestinal sendo considerada a quarta maior causada por nematódeos. O mecanismo de defesa contra a estrongiloidíase é mediada pela ativação de células de perfil Th2, que amplificam a resposta celular através da secreção de mediadores inflamatórios. O que faz da estrongiloidíase um grave problema de saúde pública, é o desenvolvimento da hiperinfecção, principalmente devido ao uso de glicocorticóides, onde ocorre aumento do número de larvas e fêmeas que se disseminam por todo organismo. Estudos demonstraram que algumas infecções helmínticas têm sido acompanhadas por hipertrofia e hipercontratillidade da musculatura intestinal, via JAK-STAT 6. Entretanto pouco se sabe sobre a influência desta via nas alterações da parede muscular do duodeno durante infecção pelo Strongyloides venezuelensis. O presente trabalho objetivou investigar as alterações morfológicas, imunológicas e patológicas da musculatura lisa intestinal que ocorrem em decorrência da infecção experimental pelo S. venezuelensis, bem como a interferência do tratamento com Dexametasona e o papel da via JAK - STAT 6 neste processo. Ratos Wistar foram inoculados com larvas de S. venezuelensis, tratados com dexametasona e sacrificados nos dias 5, 7, 14 e 21. Foram realizadas diversas colorações com a finalidade de quantificar as fêmeas adultas no duodeno, realizar morfometria da musculatura duodenal, quantificar eosinófilos e células caliciformes. Foi realizada análise da expressão gênica do gene STAT 6. Nossos resultados mostraram hiperplasia das células caliciformes, infiltrado eosinofílico e espessamento da musculatura lisa duodenal. Houve aumento na expressão de STAT 6 nos animais infectados. O tratamento com a Dexametasona inibiu drasticamente estas alterações. Entretanto o número de parasitas foi significativamente maior nos ratos infectados tratados quando comparados aos infectados. As alterações intestinais durante a infecção ocorreram na tentativa de expulsar o parasita e resolução da infecção. Contudo, a inibição deste processo provocada pela Dexametasona possivelmente retardou ou impediu a resolução da infecção. / Strongyloidiasis is an intestinal parasitosis with an obligatory pulmonary cycle, which represents the fourth largest parasitosis caused by nematodes. The mechanism of defense against strongyloidiasis is mediated by activation of Th2 cells, which amplify the cellular response through the secretion of inflammatory mediators. Strongyloidiasis is a serious public health problem due the development of hyperinfection, due to the use of glucocorticoids, where the number of worms and females increases, and disseminate to other organs. Studies have shown that some helminth infections have been accompanied by hypertrophy of intestinal muscles and hypercontractility, JAK-STAT 6 pathway. However little has been reported about on the influence of JAK-STAT 6 pathway in changes of the muscular wall of the duodenum during Strongyloides venezuelensis infection. The aim of this study was to identify the morphological, immunological and pathological changes of the intestinal smooth muscle during Strongyloides venezuelensis in Wistar rats and to determine the effects of Dexamethasone treatment and role of JAK-STAT 6 pathway in these process. Wistar rats were inoculated with S. venezuelensis larvae, treated with dexamethasone and killed at 5, 7, 14 and 21 days. Morphological and morphometric analyzes with routine stains to quantify globet cells, eosinophils and measure the circular and longitudinal layers of duodenal smooth muscle. Performed gene expression analysis of STAT 6. Goblet cell hyperplasia and increased of intestine smooth muscle wall thickness and eosinophils levels were elevated throughout the course of the infection. Moreover, an increase in the expression of STAT 6 in infected animals. The morphological findings and the immunomodulatory response to the infection were drastically reduced in dexamethasone-treated rats. However, the number of worms was significantly higher on infected and treated rats with Dexamethasone compared to just infected ones. The intestinal changes during infection ocurred in an attempt of expel the parasite and elucidate the infection. Although, the inhibition of the process caused by Dexamethasone possibly delay or prevent the resolution of infection

A estrongiloidíase é uma parasitose intestinal sendo considerada a quarta maior causada por nematódeos. O mecanismo de defesa contra a estrongiloidíase é mediada pela ativação de células de perfil Th2, que amplificam a resposta celular através da secreção de mediadores inflamatórios. O que faz da estrongiloidíase um grave problema de saúde pública, é o desenvolvimento da hiperinfecção, principalmente devido ao uso de glicocorticóides, onde ocorre aumento do número de larvas e fêmeas que se disseminam por todo organismo. Estudos demonstraram que algumas infecções helmínticas têm sido acompanhadas por hipertrofia e hipercontratillidade da musculatura intestinal, via JAK-STAT 6. Entretanto pouco se sabe sobre a influência desta via nas alterações da parede muscular do duodeno durante infecção pelo Strongyloides venezuelensis. O presente trabalho objetivou investigar as alterações morfológicas, imunológicas e patológicas da musculatura lisa intestinal que ocorrem em decorrência da infecção experimental pelo S. venezuelensis, bem como a interferência do tratamento com Dexametasona e o papel da via JAK - STAT 6 neste processo. Ratos Wistar foram inoculados com larvas de S. venezuelensis, tratados com dexametasona e sacrificados nos dias 5, 7, 14 e 21. Foram realizadas diversas colorações com a finalidade de quantificar as fêmeas adultas no duodeno, realizar morfometria da musculatura duodenal, quantificar eosinófilos e células caliciformes. Foi realizada análise da expressão gênica do gene STAT 6. Nossos resultados mostraram hiperplasia das células caliciformes, infiltrado eosinofílico e espessamento da musculatura lisa duodenal. Houve aumento na expressão de STAT 6 nos animais infectados. O tratamento com a Dexametasona inibiu drasticamente estas alterações. Entretanto o número de parasitas foi significativamente maior nos ratos infectados tratados quando comparados aos infectados. As alterações intestinais durante a infecção ocorreram na tentativa de expulsar o parasita e resolução da infecção. Contudo, a inibição deste processo provocada pela Dexametasona possivelmente retardou ou impediu a resolução da infecção. / Strongyloidiasis is an intestinal parasitosis with an obligatory pulmonary cycle, which represents the fourth largest parasitosis caused by nematodes. The mechanism of defense against strongyloidiasis is mediated by activation of Th2 cells, which amplify the cellular response through the secretion of inflammatory mediators. Strongyloidiasis is a serious public health problem due the development of hyperinfection, due to the use of glucocorticoids, where the number of worms and females increases, and disseminate to other organs. Studies have shown that some helminth infections have been accompanied by hypertrophy of intestinal muscles and hypercontractility, JAK-STAT 6 pathway. However little has been reported about on the influence of JAK-STAT 6 pathway in changes of the muscular wall of the duodenum during Strongyloides venezuelensis infection. The aim of this study was to identify the morphological, immunological and pathological changes of the intestinal smooth muscle during Strongyloides venezuelensis in Wistar rats and to determine the effects of Dexamethasone treatment and role of JAK-STAT 6 pathway in these process. Wistar rats were inoculated with S. venezuelensis larvae, treated with dexamethasone and killed at 5, 7, 14 and 21 days. Morphological and morphometric analyzes with routine stains to quantify globet cells, eosinophils and measure the circular and longitudinal layers of duodenal smooth muscle. Performed gene expression analysis of STAT 6. Goblet cell hyperplasia and increased of intestine smooth muscle wall thickness and eosinophils levels were elevated throughout the course of the infection. Moreover, an increase in the expression of STAT 6 in infected animals. The morphological findings and the immunomodulatory response to the infection were drastically reduced in dexamethasone-treated rats. However, the number of worms was significantly higher on infected and treated rats with Dexamethasone compared to just infected ones. The intestinal changes during infection ocurred in an attempt of expel the parasite and elucidate the infection. Although, the inhibition of the process caused by Dexamethasone possibly delay or prevent the resolution of infection

In the past, hyperlipidemia (HL) has been shown to affect the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of lipophilic drugs extensively bound to lipoproteins, including halofantrine (HF). The present thesis examined the effect of HL on the biodistribution, metabolism and electrocardiographic (ECG) effects of HF in the poloxamer 407 rat model of HL. The HL state caused unexpected changes in the distribution of HF enantiomers. In contrast to plasma, concentrations of desbutyl-HF (DHF) were much higher in highly perfused tissues. Following in vitro incubation of racemic HF and DHF, HF and DHF enantiomers shifted from the lipoprotein deficient fraction to triglyceride-rich fractions in HL plasma. No significant differences were noted in HF metabolism between NL and HL liver microsomes. It appears that both reduced plasma unbound fraction and lipoprotein associated directed uptake of lipoprotein-bound drug by tissues play roles in enantiomer biodistribution. In everted gut metabolism, formation of DHF enantiomers was inversely proportional to bile concentration whereas addition of lipids in the presence of bile caused a significant decrease in DHF:HF ratio of (-)-enantiomers. Pre-treatment of rats with peanut oil had no significant effect on DHF formation in the incubated sacs or microsomal preparations, nor did it affect the expression of intestinal CYP450. The above results were consistent with previous in vivo evaluations showing that the DHF to HF ratio was decreased by the ingestion of a high fat meal. In the ECG study, HL by itself had no effect on the ECG. In HL rats, plasma but not heart concentrations of the HF enantiomers were significantly higher compared to NL rats. DHF did not impart significant ECG prolonging effects after HF administration. The unbound fraction of HF was the controlling factor for drug uptake by the heart. Despite the lack of difference in HF heart concentrations, the QT and QTc intervals were significantly higher in HL compared to NL rats, suggesting a greater vulnerability towards HF induced QT interval prolongation in the HL state. The HL serum resulted in decreased metabolism of HF enantiomers in the isolated primary rat hepatocytes. Studies with LLC PK1 and NRK 52E cells showed that HF is not a substrate of P-glycoprotein transporters. / Pharmaceutical Sciences

Malignant tumours of the small intestine are rare. Age-standardised incidence in Europe is between 0.5-1.5 per 100 000. As the small intestine represents more than 90 % of the gastrointestinal mucosal surface, it is surprising that it gives rise to less than 2 % of gastrointestinal malignancies. The dominating histological subtypes are carcinoids and adenocarcinomas. We used three population-based registries in Sweden to study survival, second malignant tumours, causes of death, and Crohn’s disease as a risk factor for small intestinal adenocarcinoma and carcinoid. We evaluated tumour site, sex, age, and year of diagnosis as prognostic factors. For adenocarcinomas there was no difference in survival between duodenal and jejunal/ileal tumours. Women with jejunal/ileal adenocarcinomas showed higher probabilities of survival than men, while no such relation was found for duodenal tumours. Old age correlated with poor survival for duodenal tumours, and prognosis has improved in later years. For carcinoids, duodenal tumours had a more favourable prognosis than jejunal/ileal tumours. There was no difference in survival between sexes. Old age correlated with poor survival, and survival has improved in recent years. Female patients with adenocarcinoma had increased risk of acquiring cancer in the genital organs and breasts, and both sexes had increased risks of second tumours in the gastrointestinal tract and skin. Men with carcinoid tumours had increased risk of prostate cancer. Both sexes had increased risk of malignant melanoma and malignancies of endocrine organs. Patients with adenocarcinoma had increased risk of dying from malignant diseases other than the primary small intestinal cancer and from gastrointestinal disease. The cohort with carcinoid had higher than expected risk of dying from malignant disease, gastrointestinal disease, and cardiovascular disease. Patients with Crohn’s disease had increased risk of small intestinal adenocarcinoma and carcinoid, and the risk has increased for patients diagnosed in recent years.

The development of mucosal dendritic cells (DCs) in cattle is poorly understood and an analysis of myeloid cells in the bovine small intestine is required to increase our knowledge in this area. The phenotype, frequency and distribution of mucosal myeloid and lymphoid lamina propria leukocytes (LPL) and intraepithelial leukocytes (IEL) in the ileum and jejunum of newborn calves (3-5 weeks old) were analyzed using flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry (IHC). LPL and IEL were isolated through the use of chemical and enzymatic incubations. Costaining with a CD45-specific monoclonal antibody allowed us to exclude all non-leukocytic cells from our analysis of IEL and LPL. The morphology of CD45+CD11c+MHC Class II+ cells isolated from the lamina propria (LP) of ileum and jejunum showed myeloid characteristics, validating the use of CD11c and MHC Class II co-expression to identify myeloid cells. Regional differences in the frequency and number of leukocytes isolated from the IEL and LP compartments of the ileum and jejunum were analyzed in newborn calves. The CD11cHiCD14+ and CD335+ NK cell populations were significantly more abundant in the ileum than the jejunum. IHC was then used to identify the distribution of myeloid cells within the intestine. This analysis confirmed the presence of a variety of myeloid cell populations within the LP. Furthermore, CD11c+ cells were uniquely distributed within the jejunal, but not the ileal IEL compartment. In contrast, CD11b+ cells were present in the ileal, but absent from the jejunal, IEL compartment. A comparison of myeloid cell populations isolated from jejunum and blood dentified distinct mucosal DC populations, such as CD11c+CD13+ cells, which were present in he jejunum but absent from blood. The phenotype, frequency and distribution of IEL and LPL in the ileum and jejunum of weaned calves (6 months old) were then investigated. Significant regional differences were observed when comparing mucosal T cell populations with CD8+ and γδ T cells more abundant in the ileum and CD4+ T cells more abundant in the jejunum. Proportionally, there were no significant differences between the frequency and number of myeloid populations in the two regions. IHC was, once again, used to confirm these unique distributions of cells within each region. CD11b+ cells were present in the LP of both the ileum and jejunum, although a small number of CD11b+ cells were found in the ileal epithelium. CD4+ T cells were restricted to the LP, while CD8+ and γδ T cells were restricted to the IEL compartment. Significant age-related changes were observed when comparing mucosal leukocyte populations in the ileum and jejunum of newborn and 6 month old calves. In the ileum there was an age-related enrichment of CD8+ and γδ T cells, while in the jejunum there was enrichment in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. In contrast, total myeloid (CD11c+MHC Class II+) cells number remained unchanged but there was a significant age-related enrichment of DC subpopulations (CD13, CD26, CD205). In conclusion, the ileum and jejunum of the newborn calf was populated by diverse myeloid subpopulations, some of which were distinct from myeloid subpopualtions identified in blood. Furthermore, the total number of CD11cHiMHC Class II+ myeloid cells isolated from a 10 cm segment of intestine did not change with age. If neonatal DCs are functionally equivalent to DCs present in weaned calves then the neonatal mucosal immune system appears to have an equivalent capacity to acquire and present antigens acquired from diet, commensal microflora, or pathogens. The one limitation to this conclusion may be the marked difference in the distribution of intraepithelial DC and macrophage distribution when comparing newborn and weaned calves.

The development of mucosal dendritic cells (DCs) in cattle is poorly understood and an analysis of myeloid cells in the bovine small intestine is required to increase our knowledge in this area. The phenotype, frequency and distribution of mucosal myeloid and lymphoid lamina propria leukocytes (LPL) and intraepithelial leukocytes (IEL) in the ileum and jejunum of newborn calves (3-5 weeks old) were analyzed using flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry (IHC). LPL and IEL were isolated through the use of chemical and enzymatic incubations. Costaining with a CD45-specific monoclonal antibody allowed us to exclude all non-leukocytic cells from our analysis of IEL and LPL. The morphology of CD45+CD11c+MHC Class II+ cells isolated from the lamina propria (LP) of ileum and jejunum showed myeloid characteristics, validating the use of CD11c and MHC Class II co-expression to identify myeloid cells. Regional differences in the frequency and number of leukocytes isolated from the IEL and LP compartments of the ileum and jejunum were analyzed in newborn calves. The CD11cHiCD14+ and CD335+ NK cell populations were significantly more abundant in the ileum than the jejunum. IHC was then used to identify the distribution of myeloid cells within the intestine. This analysis confirmed the presence of a variety of myeloid cell populations within the LP. Furthermore, CD11c+ cells were uniquely distributed within the jejunal, but not the ileal IEL compartment. In contrast, CD11b+ cells were present in the ileal, but absent from the jejunal, IEL compartment. A comparison of myeloid cell populations isolated from jejunum and blood dentified distinct mucosal DC populations, such as CD11c+CD13+ cells, which were present in he jejunum but absent from blood. The phenotype, frequency and distribution of IEL and LPL in the ileum and jejunum of weaned calves (6 months old) were then investigated. Significant regional differences were observed when comparing mucosal T cell populations with CD8+ and γδ T cells more abundant in the ileum and CD4+ T cells more abundant in the jejunum. Proportionally, there were no significant differences between the frequency and number of myeloid populations in the two regions. IHC was, once again, used to confirm these unique distributions of cells within each region. CD11b+ cells were present in the LP of both the ileum and jejunum, although a small number of CD11b+ cells were found in the ileal epithelium. CD4+ T cells were restricted to the LP, while CD8+ and γδ T cells were restricted to the IEL compartment. Significant age-related changes were observed when comparing mucosal leukocyte populations in the ileum and jejunum of newborn and 6 month old calves. In the ileum there was an age-related enrichment of CD8+ and γδ T cells, while in the jejunum there was enrichment in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. In contrast, total myeloid (CD11c+MHC Class II+) cells number remained unchanged but there was a significant age-related enrichment of DC subpopulations (CD13, CD26, CD205). In conclusion, the ileum and jejunum of the newborn calf was populated by diverse myeloid subpopulations, some of which were distinct from myeloid subpopualtions identified in blood. Furthermore, the total number of CD11cHiMHC Class II+ myeloid cells isolated from a 10 cm segment of intestine did not change with age. If neonatal DCs are functionally equivalent to DCs present in weaned calves then the neonatal mucosal immune system appears to have an equivalent capacity to acquire and present antigens acquired from diet, commensal microflora, or pathogens. The one limitation to this conclusion may be the marked difference in the distribution of intraepithelial DC and macrophage distribution when comparing newborn and weaned calves.

The development of mucosal dendritic cells (DCs) in cattle is poorly understood and an analysis of myeloid cells in the bovine small intestine is required to increase our knowledge in this area. The phenotype, frequency and distribution of mucosal myeloid and lymphoid lamina propria leukocytes (LPL) and intraepithelial leukocytes (IEL) in the ileum and jejunum of newborn calves (3-5 weeks old) were analyzed using flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry (IHC). LPL and IEL were isolated through the use of chemical and enzymatic incubations. Costaining with a CD45-specific monoclonal antibody allowed us to exclude all non-leukocytic cells from our analysis of IEL and LPL. The morphology of CD45+CD11c+MHC Class II+ cells isolated from the lamina propria (LP) of ileum and jejunum showed myeloid characteristics, validating the use of CD11c and MHC Class II co-expression to identify myeloid cells. Regional differences in the frequency and number of leukocytes isolated from the IEL and LP compartments of the ileum and jejunum were analyzed in newborn calves. The CD11cHiCD14+ and CD335+ NK cell populations were significantly more abundant in the ileum than the jejunum. IHC was then used to identify the distribution of myeloid cells within the intestine. This analysis confirmed the presence of a variety of myeloid cell populations within the LP. Furthermore, CD11c+ cells were uniquely distributed within the jejunal, but not the ileal IEL compartment. In contrast, CD11b+ cells were present in the ileal, but absent from the jejunal, IEL compartment. A comparison of myeloid cell populations isolated from jejunum and blood dentified distinct mucosal DC populations, such as CD11c+CD13+ cells, which were present in he jejunum but absent from blood. The phenotype, frequency and distribution of IEL and LPL in the ileum and jejunum of weaned calves (6 months old) were then investigated. Significant regional differences were observed when comparing mucosal T cell populations with CD8+ and γδ T cells more abundant in the ileum and CD4+ T cells more abundant in the jejunum. Proportionally, there were no significant differences between the frequency and number of myeloid populations in the two regions. IHC was, once again, used to confirm these unique distributions of cells within each region. CD11b+ cells were present in the LP of both the ileum and jejunum, although a small number of CD11b+ cells were found in the ileal epithelium. CD4+ T cells were restricted to the LP, while CD8+ and γδ T cells were restricted to the IEL compartment. Significant age-related changes were observed when comparing mucosal leukocyte populations in the ileum and jejunum of newborn and 6 month old calves. In the ileum there was an age-related enrichment of CD8+ and γδ T cells, while in the jejunum there was enrichment in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. In contrast, total myeloid (CD11c+MHC Class II+) cells number remained unchanged but there was a significant age-related enrichment of DC subpopulations (CD13, CD26, CD205). In conclusion, the ileum and jejunum of the newborn calf was populated by diverse myeloid subpopulations, some of which were distinct from myeloid subpopualtions identified in blood. Furthermore, the total number of CD11cHiMHC Class II+ myeloid cells isolated from a 10 cm segment of intestine did not change with age. If neonatal DCs are functionally equivalent to DCs present in weaned calves then the neonatal mucosal immune system appears to have an equivalent capacity to acquire and present antigens acquired from diet, commensal microflora, or pathogens. The one limitation to this conclusion may be the marked difference in the distribution of intraepithelial DC and macrophage distribution when comparing newborn and weaned calves.

No description available.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1969. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliography.

Quarenta e duas vacas Holandesas, em gestação e multíparas, e os respectivos bezerros recém-nascidos foram utilizados para determinar se as concentrações de IGF-I no colostro e secreções lácteas podem ser alteradas em resposta à mudanças na concentração sérica de IGF-I pré-parto, avaliar comparativamente a flutuação sérica pré-parto de IGF-I em relação a IgG, bem como as flutuações séricas de IGF-I e IgG nos bezerros na primeira semana de vida e, adicionalmente, alterações na mucosa intestinal dos mesmos. As vacas foram distribuídas ao acaso em dois grupos de 21 animais, o grupo tratado recebeu 500 mg de somatotropina bovina recombinante (rbST) e o grupo controle recebeu injeções de vitamina E. Ambos tratamentos iniciaram 35 dias pré-parto e foram administrados em intervalos de 14 dias. Semanalmente, foi observado o escore corporal e foram coletadas amostras de sangue até a data de parição. Foram coletadas amostras do colostro e das secreções lácteas, diariamente, por sete dias pós-parto. Os bezerros recém-nascidos foram distribuídos ao acaso, em um arranjo fatorial 2X3, correspondendo ao tratamento das mães (controle ou rbST) e às datas de abate (ao nascimento, aos dois dias de idade e aos sete dias de idade). Diariamente, foram coletadas amostras de sangue até a data de abate. Para as análises estereológicas amostras foram coletadas de cinco regiões do intestino delgado. O escore corporal e a concentração sérica de ácidos graxos não-esterificados não diferiram entre os grupos durante todo o período experimental (P>0,05). Os grupos rbST e controle apresentaram diferenças significativas quanto às concentrações séricas de IGF-I na segunda e quarta semanas após o início do período experimental (P<0,05), em resposta às aplicações do rbST, no entanto não foram encontradas diferenças entre os tratamentos no parto (P>0,05). A concentração de IGF-I foi superior no colostro das vacas tratadas com rbST (P<0,05), não diferindo nas secreções subseqüentes. As concentrações séricas de IgG não diferiram entre os tratamentos durante todo o período experimental, bem como as concentrações de IgG do colostro e demais secreções lácteas (P>0,05). Não foram encontradas diferenças entre os tratamentos nas concentrações séricas de IGF-I dos bezerros até o sétimo dia de vida, como também não foram encontradas diferenças entre as concentrações séricas de IgG nos bezerros após 24 horas de vida (P>0,05). O peso dos órgãos e o volume parcial (Vv) da mucosa absortiva não diferiram entre os tratamentos nas três datas de abate, observando-se somente diferenças significativas entre as datas de abate. A porção do jejuno médio apresentou maior Vv em relação aos outros segmentos do intestino delgado ao nascimento e aos sete dias de vida. A aplicação de rbST no período seco influenciou somente a concentração de IGF-I no colostro, não alterando as concentrações séricas nos bezerros até o sétimo dia de vida, como também o Vv da mucosa absortiva do intestino delgado. / Forty-two Holstein cows, in gestation and multiparous, and their newborn calves were used to evaluate if insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) in colostrum and subsequent mammary secretions could be influenced by changes in blood serum IGF-I and compare its temporal changes with the serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) in pre-partum period, as well as the temporal changes in serum IGF-I and IgG in newborn calves during the first week of life, and also, alterations in its intestinal mucosa. Cows were randomly assigned in two groups of twenty-one animals, treated group was injected 500 mg of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST), and the control group received vitamin E injection. Both treatments started 35 days pre-partum and were administered every 14 days until partum. Weekly body condition scores were measured and blood was collected until partum. Colostrum and mammary secretions were collected daily for seven days pos-partum. Newborn calves were randomly assigned to a 2X3 factorial arrangement, which the factors depended on mother’s treatment (control and rbST) and slaughter date (just after birth, two days of life and seven days of life). Blood was collected daily until slaughter. For stereological analysis samples were taken from five sites from small intestine. Body condition scores and nonesterified fatty acid concentration didn't differ between the groups during the experimental period (P>0,05). Groups differed about serum IGF-I during pre-partum (P<0,05), which showed differences on second and fourth weeks of experimental period in response to rbST administration. However, no treatment differences were found at partum (P>0,05). IGF-I concentration was higher in colostrum of cows treated with rbST (P<0,05), but it didn't differ in subsequent mammary secretions. IgG serum concentration didn't differ between treatments during the experimental period, neither IgG concentration in colostrum and subsequent mammary secretions (P>0,05). No differences were found either in calves’ IGF-I levels from birth to seven days old or in IgG serum concentration after 24 hours of life (P>0,05). Organ weight and mucosa partial volume (Vv) didn't differ between treatments in the three slaughter dates, only differences among the salughter dates were observed. Segment from the medium jejunum showed higher Vv in relation to others segments at birth and seven days old. The administration of rbST during the dry period influenced only IGF-I concentration in colostrum, however colostrum IGF-I didn’t affect calves’ serum concentration up to seven days old, neither the mucosa Vv of small intestine.