Reproductive & hormonal
Kisspeptin
The neuropeptide that switches on the reproductive axis. Used in research to trigger ovulation and to probe why puberty and fertility fail.
What it is
Kisspeptins are peptides produced from the KISS1 gene, with kisspeptin-54 and the shorter kisspeptin-10 being the most studied. They are the main signal that tells the brain to release GnRH, the hormone that drives the entire reproductive system. No kisspeptin product is approved for use; it is a research and clinical-trial compound.
How it works
- 1
Activates the KISS1R receptor (also called GPR54) on GnRH neurons in the hypothalamus.
- 2
Those neurons release GnRH into the portal blood, which prompts the pituitary to release LH and FSH.
- 3
LH and FSH then drive sex-hormone production and, in women, egg maturation and ovulation.
- 4
Because the effect is at the top of the chain, a single dose produces a measurable LH surge within minutes — which makes it a useful research tool.
What it's studied for
Reported and studied effects
- Dose-dependent LH release within 30–60 minutes of an intravenous dose
- Egg maturation achieved with kisspeptin-54 in small IVF studies, with a lower hyperstimulation signal than standard triggers
- Restored LH pulsatility in some women with hypothalamic amenorrhoea during infusion
- All human data come from small, short mechanistic studies
Research protocol notes
Research context onlyResearch context only — no approved product exists. Human studies used single intravenous boluses in the 1.6–12.8 nanomoles-per-kilogram range, or short subcutaneous infusions. Fertility applications must be supervised by a reproductive endocrinology team.
These figures are described so you can understand what researchers did. They are not a dose, a schedule, or a suggestion — and they are not a substitute for a doctor.
Possible side effects and contraindications
Safety profile
Possible side effects
- No serious adverse events reported in the small published studies
- Transient flushing and mild abdominal discomfort reported
- Long-term safety is unknown because exposure has been brief
- Any effect on early pregnancy is not characterised
Contraindications and cautions
- Not established — no approved product exists
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Hormone-sensitive conditions require specialist advice
- Never a substitute for medically supervised fertility treatment
A side-effect list is never complete, and these are not the only situations that warrant caution. Anything unexpected, or anything you are unsure about, should be discussed with a doctor before use.
Evidence assessment
Human data consist of small, short pharmacokinetic and proof-of-concept studies with clear mechanistic endpoints, but no larger trials of clinical outcomes and no approved product.
References
- 01Kisspeptin and GnRH regulation — PubMed literature search
- 02Kisspeptin-54 for egg maturation in IVF — PubMed literature search
References link to published literature, regulator pages or literature indexes. Where a link points to a search, it collects the peer-reviewed work on that molecule rather than a single study.
Related
Related peptides
Other entries in Reproductive & hormonal.
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Bremelanotide (PT-141)
The melanocortin peptide approved as Vyleesi for low sexual desire in premenopausal women — an on-demand drug, not a tanning product.
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Cetrorelix
A GnRH antagonist used in fertility treatment to stop ovulation happening before egg collection.
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Degarelix
A GnRH antagonist that suppresses testosterone immediately, without the initial hormone flare of agonists.