The aim of this research was to know the copper, zinc, iron and molybdenum content in serum and liver of small ruminants raised in the cities of Casa Nova and Juazeiro, state of Bahia, and verify the occurrence of primary or secondary copper deficiency. A total of 160 samples of sheep and goats of both sexes collected in the dry and rainy season were evaluated. The values for serum copper in goats was 13.8±0.3±mol/L and in sheep it was 12.2±0.4 ±mol/L, while the mean liver concentration was 220 ppm for goats and 238 ppm for sheep. The serum zinc value for goats was 28.3±1.0±mol/L and for sheep it was 28.7±0.8±mol/L, while the mean liver concentration was 99 ppm for goats and 92 ppm for sheep. Serum iron value for goats was 61±3±mol/L and for sheep it was 64±2±mol/L, while liver levels were 172 ppm for goats and 221 ppm for sheep. Copper mean values do not indicate the occurrence of copper deficiency in small ruminants raised in the cities studied. Zinc levels were within the normal values and do not require extra supplementation of this mineral. The serum iron levels were elevated, however it did not interfere in copper metabolism in order to result in a cupric deficiency.
microminerals; liver; serum; small ruminants