During two distinct periods in 1991, rainy (March/April) and dry (Sept/Oct), blood samples were collected from 42 bubalines, regardless of breed and sex, on three farms located in the municipalities of Muaná and Ponta de Pedras, 14 animals per farm, randomly selected according to age; Group 1 (lactating), aged 6 months, and group 2 (non-lactating), aged 14 months, aimed at determining the serum levels of Ca, P and alkaline phosphatase activity, to verify whether these values could provide subsidies to the region in the diagnosis of mineral deficiency. The mean levels of Ca and P, as well as alkaline phosphatase activity in the blood serum of animals in the lactating group differed significantly (P <0.05) from those in the non-lactating group, giving the youngest buffaloes higher values, showing that these elements tend to decline with advancing age. The mean values of Ca and P in both groups differed from the authors consulted, showing higher values for Ca and lower for P. The blood variations of Ca and P suggested a deficient state of phosphorus.
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