Jugular vein blood was collected daily from four mature ewes throughout anoestrus and the first oestrous cycle of the breeding season until 4 days after the second oestrus. The levels of oestrogen, progesterone and LH were determined by radioimmunoassay. There were fluctuations in the LH level throughout most of the observed anoestrous period with a mean \ m=+-\ S.E. value of 2\m=.\3\ m=+-\ 0\m=.\9 ng/ml. High LH values of 20\m=.\0, 41\m=.\2and 137\m=.\5 ng/ml were observed in three ewes on Day

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... \m=-\24of anoestrus. A brief minor rise in progesterone level was also observed around this period. Progesterone levels were consistently low (0\m=.\11 \ m=+-\ 0 \ m= . \ 0 1 ng/ml) before Day \m=-\25of anoestrus. A major rise occurred on Day \m=-\12 of anoestrus and this was followed by patterns similar to those that have been previously reported for the oestrous cycle of the ewe. Random fluctuations of oestrogens deviating from a mean level of 4\m=.\40 \ m=+-\ 0\m=.\1 pg/ml were observed during anoestrus and the mean level during the period from the first to the second oestrus was 5\m=.\2\ m=+-\ 0\m=.\3 pg/ml. A wel l \x=req-\ defined peak of 13\m=.\3\ m=+-\ 0\m=.\7 pg/ml was seen in all ewes on the day of the second oestrus. Results of the present study suggest that episodic releases of LH occur during anoestrus and periods of low luteal activity. The fluctuations in LH levels, as observed during the period of low luteal activity, i.e. before Day \m=-\25 of anoestrus, were less pronounced during the periods of high luteal activity. The view that luteal activity precedes the first behavioural oestrus of the breeding season is supported.