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NAVLE® Question of the day

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April 11, 2024

NAVLE

A two-day-old calf has a GGT level of 500 times the adult upper reference range.

Which one of the following choices is the most likely interpretation?

A - Associated with neonatal cholestasis

B - Caused by traumatic placental detachment

C - Related to bone development

D - Due to colostrum absorption

E - Suggestive of a congenital liver shunt

Sorry. You chose "A - Associated with neonatal cholestasis" but the correct answer is "D - Due to colostrum absorption"

Very high GGT levels are seen with colostrum absorption.

In newborn calves, lambs, and pups, an increase in GGT up to a 1000 times is normal when they receive high levels of colostrum from the dam. In calves it takes four to six weeks for these GGT levels to return to the normal adult reference range.

High levels of GGT are produced in the mammary epithelium during lactation. When evaluating bloodwork, make sure to utilize reference ranges specific for the age of the patient.