Short fragment of kisspeptin, the hormone that starts up the reproductive axis. Used in research to study the release of sex hormones.
Regulatory status
Not approved
Family
Endogenous peptide agonist of the KISS1R (GPR54) receptor
Scientific evidence
Low-moderate
Number of findings
2
Where it acts
Sexual and reproductive · Hormones and metabolism
Also known as
kisspeptin-10, KP-10, metastin 45-54
Regulatory status
FDA (US): Not approved
EMA (EU): Not approved
Dose
There is no established dose in humans.
Safety
In experimental studies with single doses or short infusions, no serious effects were described, but the data are very limited. Only in research under medical supervision; buying it is not recommended.
Differences between women and men
Shows clear sexual dimorphism: in men LH rises even at low doses, whereas in women in the follicular phase it does not alter gonadotropins and only responds in the preovulatory phase. View the study →
Effect by goal · level of evidence
Stimulation of LH and testosterone in men
increasesModerateclinical trial (A)in people
LH ×3
In healthy men, an intravenous bolus of 1 µg/kg tripled LH at 30 minutes (from 4.1 to 12.4 IU/L); a 22.5-hour infusion raised testosterone from 16.6 to 24.0 nmol/L. Studies with 4–6 volunteers.
Different response depending on the menstrual cycle
no clear effectLow-moderateclinical trial (A)in people
In women in the follicular phase, neither LH nor FSH changed with any route of administration; in the preovulatory phase it did raise them with 10 nmol/kg intravenously.
Activates receptors in the hypothalamus that release GnRH, the signal that tells the pituitary gland to produce LH and FSH. Those hormones in turn stimulate the testes or ovaries. Continuous exposure can end up desensitizing the system.
What the evidence says
In people
Stimulation of LH and testosterone in men. In healthy men, an intravenous bolus of 1 µg/kg tripled LH at 30 minutes (from 4.1 to 12.4 IU/L); a 22.5-hour infusion raised testosterone from 16.6 to 24.0 nmol/L. Studies with 4–6 volunteers. PubMed 21632807
Different response depending on the menstrual cycle. In women in the follicular phase, neither LH nor FSH changed with any route of administration; in the preovulatory phase it did raise them with 10 nmol/kg intravenously. PubMed 21976724