Erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase were found to be significantly high in subjects with alpha-thalassaemia and Hb Lepore trait, as a consequence of the increased oxidant stress which is known to exist in these conditions. Among the serum trace elements present in these enzymes, selenium was increased in subjects with Hb Lepore trait and significantly low in those with alpha-thalassaemia trait, while selenium erythrocyte content was significantly increased in alpha-thalassaemic subjects.