Tropical Animal Science Journal
Vol. 49 No. 3 (2026): Tropical Animal Science Journal

Polymorphisms in the Leptin Receptor (LEPR) Gene and Their Association with Growth and Reproductive Traits in Indonesian Sheep

Rojib (Graduate School of Animal Production and Technology, Faculty of Animal Science, IPB University)
C. Sumantri (Department of Animal Production and Technology, Faculty of Animal Science, Bogor IPB University)
A. Gunawan (Department of Animal Production and Technology, Faculty of Animal Science, Bogor IPB University)



Article Info

Publish Date
16 Apr 2026

Abstract

The leptin receptor (LEPR) gene is a potential gene associated with growth and reproductive traits in livestock. However, studies on local Indonesian sheep are very rarely conducted. This study aimed to investigate the LEPR gene polymorphism and its association with growth and reproductive traits in Indonesian sheep. A total of 553 DNA samples were used to identify LEPR gene polymorphisms in Indonesian sheep populations. The sheep population used was 313 crossbred lambs (Garut × Garut, Dorper × Garut, Batur × Garut, and Suffolk × Garut) observed to determine the association of the LEPR gene with growth traits, while 240 Garut ewes were also examined to determine the association of the LEPR gene with reproductive traits. The genetic variation of sheep breeds was assessed using the PCR-RFLP technique with the restriction enzyme Aci1. The correlation of growth and reproductive Traits associated with Genotypes was assessed using a General Linear Model (GLM). The result indicated that the LEPR gene was polymorphic in Indonesian sheep breeds and produced two alleles (A and C) and three genotypes (AA, AC, and CC) according to the Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium. The polymorphisms of the LEPR gene were statistically significant in association with the weight of the lamb at birth and the weight of the lamb at weaning (p<0.05). The lambs that were homozygous AC had significantly higher births and weaning weights (p<0.05) than those lambs with the AA genotype. The LEPR polymorphisms were not found to be associated with average litter size or offspring mortality. These findings indicate that the LEPR gene is a promising candidate marker for improving growth performance, particularly birth weight and weaning weight, in Indonesian sheep.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

tasj

Publisher

Subject

Agriculture, Biological Sciences & Forestry Energy

Description

ropical Animal Science Journal (Trop. Anim. Sci. J.) previously Media Peternakan is a scientific journal covering broad aspects of tropical animal sciences. Started from 2018, the title is changed from Media Peternakan in order to develop and expand the distribution as well as increase the ...