# Kisspeptin-10

> Evidence tier A — Controlled human trials · Hormones & Drive · reviewed 2026-11-08
> Source page: https://peptidemeta.com/p/kisspeptin-10/

Also known as: KP-10, Metastin 45-54, Kisspeptin(112–121)

## Quick answers

**What is Kisspeptin-10?**

A hypothalamic neuropeptide that sits atop the reproductive axis, stimulating GnRH release and downstream LH/FSH secretion.

**How strong is the evidence for Kisspeptin-10?**

Tier A (controlled human trials) on the peptidemeta evidence scale. A small randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled study in healthy men (2026) plus several controlled physiology studies showing it raises LH. Not approved for any use.

**Is Kisspeptin-10 FDA-approved?**

No. Kisspeptin-10 is not approved by the FDA for any use.

**Is Kisspeptin-10 banned in sport?**

Yes. Kisspeptin-10 is prohibited in sport by the World Anti-Doping Agency under S2 (males) (peptide hormones, growth factors, related substances and mimetics).

**How does Kisspeptin-10 work?**

Kisspeptin-10 is the minimal active fragment of the kisspeptin family that binds the KISS1R (GPR54) receptor on hypothalamic GnRH neurons. This activation triggers GnRH pulse release into the portal circulation, which subsequently stimulates pituitary gonadotrophs to secrete LH and FSH, making kisspeptin the master upstream regulator of the reproductive axis.

**What is known about the safety of Kisspeptin-10?**

Studied only in small controlled research settings. In one study, gonadotropin levels returned to placebo levels after 5 days of continuous infusion (tachyphylaxis), while daily intermittent infusions kept their effect for 12 days.

## Key facts

- **Evidence tier:** A (Controlled human trials)
- **FDA:** not approved
- **WADA:** prohibited (S2 (males))
- **Peptide:** yes
- **Sequence:** YNWNSFGLRF[NH2] (10 residues)
- **Formula:** C63H83N17O14
- **Molecular weight:** 1302.4 g/mol
- **Routes studied:** Subcutaneous, Intravenous

## Overview

A hypothalamic neuropeptide that sits atop the reproductive axis, stimulating GnRH release and downstream LH/FSH secretion. Explored for fertility and reproductive endocrinology.

## Mechanism

Kisspeptin-10 is the minimal active fragment of the kisspeptin family that binds the KISS1R (GPR54) receptor on hypothalamic GnRH neurons. This activation triggers GnRH pulse release into the portal circulation, which subsequently stimulates pituitary gonadotrophs to secrete LH and FSH, making kisspeptin the master upstream regulator of the reproductive axis.

## Effects reported in research

_Reported outcomes, not promises; see the evidence tier._

- Stimulated GnRH and gonadotropin secretion
- Potential fertility treatment applications
- Diagnostic marker for reproductive axis function
- Modulated pubertal onset signaling

## Safety & unknowns

Studied only in small controlled research settings. In one study, gonadotropin levels returned to placebo levels after 5 days of continuous infusion (tachyphylaxis), while daily intermittent infusions kept their effect for 12 days. Not FDA-approved.

## Studies

- Jayasena CN, Nijher GM, Comninos AN, et al. (2011). *The effects of kisspeptin-10 on reproductive hormone release show sexual dimorphism in humans*. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. Clinical trial. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21976724/
  Kisspeptin-10 raised LH and FSH in healthy men at low doses, but in women it raised gonadotropins only during the preovulatory phase, not the follicular phase.
- Yeung AC, Phylactou M, Koysombat K, et al. (2026). *Chronic subcutaneous kisspeptin-10 stimulates gonadotropin secretion for 12 days in healthy men*. European Journal of Endocrinology. Clinical trial. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42549827/
  Randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled study in which daily 8-hour subcutaneous kisspeptin-10 infusions kept LH, FSH and testosterone raised for 12 days, whereas continuous infusion lost its gonadotropin effect by day 5.

## Status sources

- [Yeung et al. 2026 — randomized placebo-controlled study of subcutaneous kisspeptin-10 in men](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42549827/)
- [Jayasena et al. 2015 — kisspeptin-10 vs kisspeptin-54 vs GnRH in healthy men](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26089302/)
- [UniProt Q15726 — KiSS-1 (kisspeptin-10 = residues 112–121)](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprotkb/Q15726/entry)
- [PubChem CID 25240297 (kisspeptin-10)](https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/25240297)
- [WADA 2026 Prohibited List — S2.2.1 kisspeptin and its agonist analogues (males)](https://www.wada-ama.org/sites/default/files/2025-09/2026list_en_final_clean_september_2025.pdf)

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Educational reference only — not medical advice. No dosing information is published. Tiers rate the strength of published evidence, not effectiveness or safety.