The present work aimed to study trace minerals and haemato-biochemical profi le of buffalo calves manifesting depigmentation of coat colour (depigmented calves: DC) in comparison to calves having normal coat colour (normal calves: NC) in the fl uoride endemic zone of the South-West Punjab. Plasma fl uoride concentrations in NC and DC were higher than the normal but it did

not vary between the groups. Plasma copper concentration in DC was lower than the critical limit of 0.70 µgml-1 and it was signifi cantly (p<0.05) lower as compared to NC. Hair copper and plasma ceruloplasmin activity did not vary between the groups. Plasma molybdenum, and plasma and hair zinc and manganese concentrations were normal and did not vary between the groups. Plasma iron concentrations in both the groups were higher than the physiological limit of 2.50 µgml-1. The hair iron concentrations were significantly (p<0.05) higher in DC. The Hb, PCV, TEC, serum total proteins, albumin, globulin, plasma urea nitrogen, creatinine, glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, ALP, AST, CK and GGT were normal in both the groups. It is concluded that depigmentation of coat colour in buffalo calves from the fl uoride endemic South-west Punjab is due to deficiency of copper.