Changes in serum copper and serum ceruloplasmin concentration induced by surgical trauma.

Serum ceruloplasmin and copper concentration has been followed for 5 days after surgical trauma. Initially, serum ceruloplasmin concentration (non-significantly) and the serum copper concentration (significantly) decreased. The decrease was followed by an (significant) increase from day 3 postoperatively. The increase was more pronounced for the serum ceruloplasmin concentration. This suggests that a ceruloplasmin poorer in copper was produced postopertively.