Relationship between phisiological states and breed and blood biochemical values of does of semi-arid northeast region. III. Zinc and copper

The study of trace-elements, Zinc and Copper, was undertaken to determine their normal levels in blood-serum of goats maintained in semi-and northeast Brazil. A group of 153 does of mixed Anglo-Nubian, Canindé-Repartida, Marota, Moxotó and SRD (without definite race) breeds was used and blood was collected during different physiological states: before pregnancy, during first-third and last-third of pregnancy, and during lactation. The results demonstrated a highly significant difference between breeds and between physiological states (P<0.0005) and their interaction (P<0.0005) in the level of Zinc and Copper. A low significance (P<0.05) was observed in the Copper concentration in relation with type of birth.