The relationship between peripartum nutritional status and the resumption of postpartum ovarian activity was studied in thirteen ewes bred traditionally on littoral pastures of the extreme north-eastern province of Algeria. In order to follow up their peripartum nutritional status, 147 blood samples were collected once during antepartum and eleven times during the first two months postpartum at five to six days interval. Plasma level of total cholesterol, triglycerides, albumin, Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and Aspartate amino transferase (AST) was measured. In addition, body condition was scored. The interval from lambing to onset of postpartum luteal activity was obtained via radioimmunoassay of plasma progesterone. The resumption of postpartum luteal activity, beyond 65 days in 88.33 % of monitored ewes, was found to be dependent on peripartum nutritional deficit indicated by a strong significant relationship with postpartum body condition score, antepartum GGT level and postpartum cholesterol concentrations (P < 0.01), and by a slightly significant correlation (P < 0.05) with postpartum levels of AST and triglycerides. The use of nutritional status indicators could contribute to the control of ewe’s peripartum through a better understanding of their sensitivity and adaptability to their breeding constraints. This would lead to the improvement of their reproduction performance.
