The efficiency of sheep is dependent on their health and well-being. The blood markers can be critical for improving of the physiological, nutritional and pathological status of sheep organism. The aim of this study was to test the hypotheses that the red and white blood cells and copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) plasma contents are impacted by altitude and season. The ewes were kept at three farms. Blood samples were divided according to factors of altitude (550 m Spring values of haemoglobin and haematocrit were lower than fall values. The highest count of leucocytes was recorded at the altitude 950 m (9.57 G L −1 ), higher counts were contained in spring (P < 0.001). The lowest percentage of eosinophiles was found at the altitude of 800 m (5.81%) and the highest at the altitude of 550 m (9.26%) (P < 0.01). Phagocytose activities were the highest at the altitude of 950 m (95.07%) and the lowest at the altitude of 550 m (85.04%) (P < 0.001). Phagocytose activities were higher in fall than in spring. The highest Cu concentration was found at the altitude of 550 m and the lowest at the altitude of 800 m (17.04 µmol L −1 vs. 14.37 µmol L −1 ). Zn levels were higher at altitudes of 950 m and 800 m than at the altitude of 550 m (17.81 µmol L −1 , 17.00 µmol L −1 vs. 14.77 µmol L −1 ). We concluded that hematological markers and trace mineral content in grazed sheep may be impacted by altitude and season.

Abstract. Objective of this paper was to evaluate the effects of herd, exploitation, management system, and season on blood macro and micro-minerals in cows kept in a mountainous region. The cows were kept in four herds, two exploitation manners, and two systems. Concentrations of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) were significantly differed in the factors of herd and exploitation only, levels of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) showed differences in all factors. Beef animals had higher level of P than dairy exploitation (1.59 mg.L−1 vs. 1.42 mg.L−1; P<0.01) and lower level of Ca (2.10 mg.L−1 vs. 2.33 mg.L−1; P<0.001). Higher concentrations of Cu and Zn were recorded in dairy exploitation (0.91 mg.L−1, 1.17 mg.L−1) versus beef exploitation (0.67 mg.L−1, 0.86 mg.L−1) (P<0.001). We found higher concentrations in Cu (0.84 mg.L−1 vs. 0.62 mg.L−1 , P<0.001) and Zn (1.06 mg.L−1 vs. 0.96 mg.L−1, P<0.05) in non-ecological system. There were higher values of Cu and Zn in fall than spring (0.90 mg.L−1 and 1.10 mg.L−1 vs. 0.67 mg.L−1 and 0.93 mg.L−1) (P<0.001).