Kisspeptin

Why Researchers Choose Kisspeptin-10

Kisspeptin-10 gives researchers a clean, upstream way to switch on the reproductive axis. Rather than acting at the pituitary or the gonad, it engages the GPR54 receptor on hypothalamic GnRH neurons, the natural control point of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. That makes it a precise probe for studies on GnRH pulsatility, gonadotropin (LH/FSH) release, and downstream testosterone dynamics.

The KNDy Neuron Oscillator

The kisspeptin neurons that govern pulsatile GnRH release are the KNDy neurons (Kisspeptin / Neurokinin B / Dynorphin) of the arcuate nucleus (ARC) in the hypothalamus. Three co-expressed signals create the rhythm:

• Kisspeptin is the output signal, activating GnRH neurons through GPR54.
• Neurokinin B (NKB) acts as the auto-synchroniser, hitting NK3R on neighbouring KNDy neurons so the population fires its kisspeptin burst together.
• Dynorphin is the auto-inhibitor, acting on the kappa-opioid receptor (KOR) to shut each burst down and reset the cycle.

Together this oscillator sets the roughly 60 to 90 minute pulse interval that defines healthy GnRH secretion.

Downstream Hormonal Cascade

A single kisspeptin-10 injection in human subjects sets off a defined sequence:

1. GPR54 on GnRH neurons activates within minutes.
2. A large GnRH burst is released into the pituitary portal circulation (within about 2 to 3 minutes).
3. Pituitary gonadotrophs fire an LH pulse 5 to 10 times above baseline, peaking near 30 minutes.
4. An FSH pulse follows with smaller amplitude and slower kinetics.
5. Testicular Leydig cells respond to LH by synthesising testosterone.
6. Testosterone is measurably elevated within 2 to 3 hours.

Sexual Motivation Research

A 2012 study from the Dhillo and Bloom group (J Clin Invest) used fMRI to show that kisspeptin-10 infusion increased sexual arousal and attention to erotic stimuli in healthy male volunteers. The imaging revealed hypothalamic, limbic, and cortical activation greater than the LH response alone could explain, suggesting GPR54 may also be expressed in brain regions beyond the ARC and GnRH neurons.

Research Applications Under Investigation

• Controlled HPG axis stimulation in fertility research
• Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism diagnosis and characterisation
• Male testosterone-axis restoration studies
• Functional HPG axis testing and GnRH pulse-generator mapping

Variants, Reconstitution and Storage

Milo-Lab supplies kisspeptin-10 as lyophilised 5mg vials, offered as a single vial or as 25mg (5 x 5mg) and 50mg (10 x 5mg) kits to match study length.

Reconstitution: use bacteriostatic water; swirl gently until dissolved, do not shake. After reconstitution: keep refrigerated at 2 to 8°C, protect from light, and do not refreeze.

For research purposes only. Not for human consumption.