Trace mineral status and liver and blood parameters in sheep without mineral supply compared to local roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) populations

General health, clinical-chemical blood analysis and copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se) and vitamin E concentrations in plasma and liver tissue (wet weight, ww) of two extensive grazing sheep flocks without mineral supply were compared to the status of local roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) populations (liver samples). Both sheep flocks were classified as healthy except for a remarkable variation in body weight and a slight foot rot infection in one flock. Hematology of sheep was normal, and total protein and creatinine as well as activities of creatin kinase, aspartat-amino-transferase, alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl-transferase in plasma were within reference levels. The mean of glutamate dehydrogenase (13.8 U/l) was slightly elevated in one flock. Mean liver concentrations of Zn (38.9 and 43.5 mg/kg ww) and Cu (111 and 87.5 mg/kg ww) in sheep flocks were higher compared to the respective roe deer populations (27.5 and 36.3 mg Zn/kg ww; 18.3 and 28.6 mg Cu/kg ww). This is supposed to be caused by differences in Cu and Zn metabolism in sheep and roe deer. Selenium deficiency was diagnosed in liver samples of both sheep flocks (0.21 and 0.23 mg/kg ww). There were neither significant differences compared to roe deer (0.21 and 0.27 mg Se/kg ww) nor differences depending on location. Correlations between plasma and liver concentrations of Cu, Zn and Se were not significant in sheep. Means of vitamin E in liver samples (30.6 and 41.8 mg/kg ww) were higher in roe deer populations. This may be caused by the opportunity of selective browsing for wild ruminants, which allows access to younger plants which are higher in vitamin E.