Leptin and puberty in goat

Abstract

The onset of reproductive function involves activation of the hypothalamic-pituitarygonadal axis and in female results in ovulation of mature oocytes (Gueorguiev et al., 2001). This transition typically occurs at a genetically predetermined age. However, nongenetic variables as photoperiod, body weight (BW), and back fat depth (BFD) can modify the age at which puberty occurs (Cheung et al., 2001; Garcia et al., 2002). Furthermore, feed availability is an important environmental factor affecting the reproductive and somatotropic axis.

Keywords

• leptin, puberty, goat