The Awassi breed has long been acknowledged to be highly adapted to semi-arid environments. Attempts to increase productivity had led to raising Awassi under intensive systems of management or crossbreeding it with western prolific breeds. These changes have led to a loss in some of the features of adaptation of the Awassi, so critical for its survival in semi-arid and arid environments. A series of experiments was conducted to assess some physiological and endocrine indicators in Awassi and Finn x Texel x Awassi cross sheep under different management systems. Results indicated that the response of Awassi sheep to environmental stress is system dependent. Pure Awassi raised under extensive systems showed better adaptation signs (lower T4, rectal temperature and pulse rate) than both pure Awassi and/or cross bred Finn x Texel x Awassi raised under more intensive systems.