The level of copper in horses brood sera and hair

Research was carried out on half-blood horses from 7 stud-farms. The level of copper in the blood sera and hair was estimated by using an ICP emission spectrophotometer. A considerable difference in the level of copper from t he blood sera and hair between horses from. particular stud-farms was noted both in summer and winter, The positive correlation noted between the leve l of copper in blood sera and hair confirms earlier opinions (13) that hair is a good indicator of the level of copper in an organism. The average con centration of copper in the blood sera in horses from the particular farms was lower than the physiological range of 18.8-21.2 mu mol/l (17). The gene ral average level of copper was 15.11 mu mol/l and remained constant both i n summer and winter. Diminished concentrations of copper indicate the need to replenish the supply of this element in the diet. The average concentrat ion of copper in the hair of horses from particular farms was within the lo west possible range determined by earlier research by other authors. In fiv e of the stud-farms a considerably higher level of copper was noted in hors es' hair in the summer season. The general level of copper in hair in the s ummer season was. 7.61 mg/kg, and in winter was 5.3 mg/kg. This difference was statistically confirmed.