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Review
. 2025 Jun;18(6):1614-1633.
doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2025.1614-1633. Epub 2025 Jun 19.

Reproductive integration of leptin and kisspeptin in small ruminants: Mechanisms, biomarker potential, and prospects for precision breeding

Herdis Herdis  1 , Ismeth Inounu  1 , Santoso Santoso  1 , Rahma Isartina Anwar  1 , Sari Yanti Hayanti  1 , Mohammad Firdaus Hudaya  1 , Desiana Ade Mahari  1   2 , Florentina Bety Indah Lupitasari  1 , Anita Hafid  1 , Marchie Asrid da Costa  1 , Nur Adianto  3 , Pradita Iustitia Sitaresmi  1
Affiliations
Review

Reproductive integration of leptin and kisspeptin in small ruminants: Mechanisms, biomarker potential, and prospects for precision breeding

Herdis Herdis et al. Vet World. 2025 Jun.

Abstract

Kisspeptin and leptin (LEP) are two essential proteins that play a central role in regulating reproductive hormones in small ruminants through the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. These proteins influence the secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, which, in turn, controls key hormones such as follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone. Acting in synergy, kisspeptin and LEP also interact with other metabolic and reproductive signals, including insulin, estrogen, and neuropeptides, to coordinate reproductive function. Despite their importance, the detailed mechanisms by which these proteins operate, especially in relation to body condition score are not yet fully understood. This review explores their biological roles, interactions, and potential as markers for selecting high-performing livestock. External factors such as diet, stress, and seasonal changes can further influence their expression and activity. Understanding these pathways can support improved fertility management and the development of genetic or therapeutic strategies to enhance reproductive efficiency in goats and sheep.

Keywords: body condition score; estrous regulation; fertility markers; gene polymorphism; gonadotropin-releasing hormone regulation; hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis; kisspeptin; leptin; livestock reproduction; metabolic-reproductive interaction; puberty induction; reproductive biomarkers; selection traits; small ruminants; therapeutic targets.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Graphical abstract.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Kisspeptin mechanism in goat reproduction [Source: The figure was generated by the authors].
Figure 3
Figure 3
Mechanism of leptin in small ruminant bodies [Source: The figure was generated by the authors].
Figure 4
Figure 4
Mechanism of kisspeptin and leptin synergy. (a) Normal physiology and (b) obese or lean pathology in small ruminants [Source: The figure was generated by the authors].
Figure 5
Figure 5
Kisspeptin actions during small animal reproduction [Source: The figure was generated by the authors].
Figure 6
Figure 6
The mechanism of kisspeptin-mediated positive and negative feedback control of gonadotropin-releasing hormone secretion by sex steroids [106].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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