The effect of resecting 50% of the distal small intestine (DSI) on iron, zinc and copper nutritive utilization was studied in rats fed two different types of diet: a standard diet containing 4% olive oil (A) and a diet containing different sources of fat (1/3 olive oil, 1/3 sunflower oil and 1/3 medium chain triglycerides) (B). One month and 7 days after surgery, intestinal resection led to a deterioration in digestive (ADC) and metabolic (balance) utilization of iron, zinc and copper. To assess trace metal postresectional homeostasis, we also measured these mineral concentrations in whole blood, plasma and several organs (liver, femur, sternum, longissimus dorsi muscle and testes). Our findings showed no significant differences in iron, zinc and copper concentrations between the organs, suggesting that the observed decrease in digestive and metabolic efficiency of these minerals was not markedly reflected at the postabsorptive level, since the distribution of the trace elements in the whole organism remained unchanged. We conclude that one month and 7 days after this surgical intervention, adaptive mechanisms are well developed in resected rats fed a diet with an adequate mineral supplement.