PeptideFederation

Reproductive neuropeptide

Kisspeptin-10

Also known as Metastin (45-54), KP-10

Human RCTs

Summary

Kisspeptin is the master upstream signal of the reproductive axis: it triggers the hypothalamus to release GnRH, which in turn drives LH and FSH. In men, intravenous kisspeptin-10 strongly stimulated LH secretion. A longer form, kisspeptin-54, has been used successfully to trigger egg maturation in IVF trials.

Structure

  1. Y1
  2. N2
  3. W3
  4. N4
  5. S5
  6. F6
  7. G7
  8. L8
  9. R9
  10. F10

HydrophobicGly / ProPolarBasic (+)Acidic (−)

C-terminally amidated. The shortest fully active fragment of kisspeptin, the product of the KISS1 gene.

How it works

Kisspeptin binds KISS1R (GPR54) on GnRH neurons. Loss-of-function mutations in KISS1R cause failure to enter puberty, which is how its role was discovered.

Research use cases

Areas where Kisspeptin-10 has been studied. Inclusion here does not mean it works for that purpose.

  • Male and female hypogonadism research
  • IVF oocyte maturation trigger (as kisspeptin-54)
  • Hypothalamic amenorrhoea
  • Sexual and emotional processing in brain imaging studies

What the research found

LH stimulation in men

Intravenous kisspeptin-10 produced a rapid, dose-dependent rise in LH in healthy men and, with continuous infusion, increased LH pulse frequency and testosterone.1

IVF trigger

In women at high risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, a single kisspeptin-54 injection triggered oocyte maturation, with no cases of moderate or severe OHSS.2

Safety and open questions

Well tolerated in short-term clinical studies. Continuous high exposure can desensitize the axis.

Regulatory status

Not approved. Investigational in fertility research. Named in the February 2026 HHS compounding announcement.

Status was accurate when this page was last reviewed on October 26, 2026. Regulations change; check with the relevant authority before relying on it.

Kisspeptin-10: common questions

Why is it called kisspeptin?

The KISS1 gene was discovered in Hershey, Pennsylvania, and named after the town’s famous chocolate Kisses.

Is Kisspeptin-10 approved for human use?

Not approved. Investigational in fertility research. Named in the February 2026 HHS compounding announcement.

References

  1. George JT, Veldhuis JD, Roseweir AK, et al. (2011). Kisspeptin-10 is a potent stimulator of LH and increases pulse frequency in men. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
  2. Abbara A, Jayasena CN, Christopoulos G, et al. (2015). Efficacy of Kisspeptin-54 to Trigger Oocyte Maturation in Women at High Risk of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) During In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Therapy. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

Links open a PubMed search for the exact title, or the original source where one is given.