This paper describes the effect of dietary restriction on agonistic behaviour, body weight and various plasma constituents (progesterone, oestrogen, glucose and cortisol) in ten Angora goats (mean 7.4 years; range 4 to 9 years) from 100 ± 7.1 days of gestation for a 6 week period. The treatment resulted in a gradual fall in plasma glucose concentration from a mean of 2.60 mmol l −1 to 1.67 mmol l −1. The two lowest ranked does developed pregnancy toxaemia and overall pregnancy failure amounted to 44% compared with 10% in ten control does. Mean body weight decreased in the restricted diet group by approximately 1 kg over the 7 weeks whilst it increased in the control group by approximately 5 kg. Group mean body weights differed ( P < 0.05) on Weeks 6 and 7. Of the variables tested, body weight was the single most important factor determining the level of agonistic behaviour and thus dominance ranking. Plasma glucose concentration was positively correlated ( P < 0.01) with agonistic activity initiated and negatively correlated ( P < 0.01) (restricted diet group only) with agonistic activity received. Mean plasma cortisol tended to increase during the 7th week of the trial (6th week of dietary restriction) in the underfed group. It is suggested that under situations where pregnant goats are subjected to dietary restriction in late pregnancy (e.g. during drought conditions) both level of nutrient intake and agonistic behaviour in the goats must be considered in attempts to ameliorate the problem.