The aim of the present experiment was to investigate the level of the lipid peroxidation and plasma antioxidative capacity in plasma of dairy cows at different lactation stages. Twenty six healthy dairy cows were used in our experiment. The groups: I - dry cows (n = 7), II - dairy cows < 1 month after calving (n = 9), III - dairy cows 4 - 5 months after calving (n = 10). The highest level of lipid peroxidation (TBARS) was recognized in dairy cows in early lactation (II - 0.58+/-0.42 micromol/l) with significant differences between the groups (p < 0.05). In contrast, there was a tendency (p > 0.05) to the lowest plasma antioxidative activity in cows in the same group (158 +/- 44 micromol/l). The strongest trend to metabolic imbalance was found in the dairy cows in early lactation (group II). In conclusion, the metabolic stress of dairy cows associated with early lactation resulted in an increased level of plasma lipid peroxidation.