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<p>The expression characteristics of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis-related candidate genes, <i>DIO2</i>, <i>EYA3</i>, <i>KISS1</i> and <i>GPR54</i>, were analyzed in year-round estrous rams (small-tail Han sheep, STH) and seasonally estrous rams (Sunite sheep, SNT) using qPCR. The results were as follows: <i>DIO2</i> was mainly expressed in pituitary, and <i>KISS1</i> was specifically expressed in hypothalamus in the two groups. However, <i>EYA3</i> and <i>GPR54</i> were widely expressed in the cerebrum, cerebellum, hypothalamus, pituitary, testis, epididymis, vas deferens and adrenal gland tissues in both breeds, with significant differences in the cerebellum, hypothalamus, pituitary, testis and vas deferens tissues. We speculated that <i>DIO2</i> and <i>KISS1</i> may have positive roles in different regions in ram year-round estrus. Moreover, the expression patterns of<i> EYA3</i> and <i>GPR54 </i>suggested that they may regulate the estrous mode of ram via testis and vas deferens. This is the first study to systematically analyze the expression patterns of HPG axis-related genes in rams.</p>