Colostral transfer of gamma glutamyl transferase in lambs

Abstract

Serum gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels in blood samples taken from normal lambs which had suckled colostrum were found to be up to 140 times normal adult levels. These high serum levels declined rapidly reaching a stable level approximately 60% higher than normal adult values by 24 days of age. Newborn lambs which had not yet consumed colostrum had GGT levels which would be considered normal in adult sheep. The GGT concentration in ewes' colostrum was up to 470 times normal serum levels. There was a significant positive correlation between serum GGT and gamma globulin levels in blood samples taken from lambs within 24 hours of birth.

Lambs' serum alkaline phosphatase (AP) and serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT) levels also rose concurrently with the absorption of colostral gamma globulin, with the day 1 AP values being significantly correlated with the serum gamma globulin levels. Serum AP levels declined gradually but were still well above normal adult levels at 45 days of age while SGOT levels returned to normal adult levels by two to three days after birth.

It is concluded therefore that, as previously shown in calves, lambs acquire high levels of serum GGT activity from their mothers' colostrum in proportion to the amount of gamma globulin absorbed and also show a concurrent rise in serum AP activity. However the rise in SGOT levels at this time has not been observed in calves.