Objective: to determine concentrations of Fe, Cu, Zn, Se, Mn, Co and Cr in the liver as indicators of deficiencies/excesses in bighorn sheep (BC) (Ovis canadensis mexicana) and mule deer (VB) (Odocoileus hemionus eremicus). Design/methodology/approach: liver samples were taken from three specimens of bighorn sheep (BC) and five specimens of mule deer (VB). The micro-minerals were determined on an inductively coupled quadrupole plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) and the analyzes were validated using a reference sample. Results: in BC the average contents of Fe, Cu, Zn, Se, Mn, and Cr were 114.8, 60.9, 63.8, 1.1, 2.6, and 0.15 mg kg1 and in VB were of 183.9, 28.9, 44.6, 1.2, 2.6, and 0.17 mg kg1, respectively, and are within the ranges considered as suitable for healthy animals. However, one BC and two BV had Cu deficiencies and 60% of the Zn VB. The Co contents in BC and VB were 14.6 and 12.3% lower as the adequate level.Limitations on study/implications: the sample size was relatively small and only of adult males. The results may not be representative of the BC and VB population.Findings/conclusions: in BC the Fe, Zn, Se and Mn contents were adequate and the Cu was partially adequate, in a BC was deficient. In VB, the Fe, Se and Mn contents indicate that there are no deficiencies. The Cu and Zn contents were partially adequate since 40 and 60% of the VB showed deficiencies. The Co was deficient in both species.
