Mineral profile of serum in experimental copper intoxication of sheep from industrial emissions.

We studied the dynamics of Cu, Fe, Zn, Mo, As, Cd, Pb and Se in the serum of sheep during experimental copper (Cu) intoxication from emissions from a Cu factory. From the food and the dosed emission, the daily intake was 466.8 mg Cu, 1253.93 mg Fe, 11.67 mg Zn, 0.74 mg Mo, 34.75 mg As, 0.091 mg Cd, 2.13 mg Pb, and 2.57 mg Se/experimental ewe. After the onset of Cu intoxication the first ewe died on the 65th d and the last one on the 84th d of the experiment. Hypercupremia was observed from the 50th d after the beginning of emission administration. Significant changes were observed in serum Cu on the 50th, 70th and 77th d (P less than 0.01). Changes in the dynamics of the other elements were recorded at the end of the cumulative phase and during the hemolytic crisis by also determining Fe, Zn, Mo, As, Cd, Pb and Se in serum of the Cu-poisoned sheep.