Kisspeptin-10
Small human studies of hormone responses, mostly by intravenous infusion. Not approved anywhere.
At a glance. A short peptide that sits at the top of the reproductive hormone chain, with real but narrow human research.
Written and maintained by the AVERON Research Desk · Last reviewed September 2026
What it is
Kisspeptins are a family of peptides produced from the KISS1 gene. They act on a receptor in the brain that controls the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, which in turn tells the pituitary gland to release luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Those hormones drive the production of testosterone and oestrogen.
Kisspeptin-10 is the shortest active form, ten amino acids long. Much of the human research has used a longer form, kisspeptin-54. They are related but not interchangeable, and results from one cannot simply be applied to the other.
What researchers study it for
Reproductive hormone disorders, fertility treatment, and, more recently, sexual desire and arousal.
What the research shows
A study by Jyothis George and colleagues, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism in 2011, found that kisspeptin-10 given intravenously was a potent stimulator of LH release in healthy men and increased the frequency of LH pulses.
A study by Channa Jayasena and colleagues, published in Human Reproduction in 2015, directly compared intravenous kisspeptin-10, kisspeptin-54 and gonadotropin-releasing hormone in people.
Research led by Alexander Comninos and Waljit Dhillo at Imperial College London, published in JAMA Network Open in 2023, found that kisspeptin increased brain responses to sexual stimuli and penile rigidity in men with low sexual desire. That study used kisspeptin-54, not kisspeptin-10.
What it does not do, and what is not known
- Most human data come from short intravenous infusions under clinical supervision. Effects of other routes have not been established in the same way.
- Kisspeptin-10 has a very short half-life in the blood, measured in minutes, producing a brief pulse of hormone release.
- The sexual-response findings were obtained with kisspeptin-54 and cannot be assumed to apply to kisspeptin-10.
- Continuous exposure to kisspeptin can desensitise its receptor and suppress hormone release, the opposite of the intended effect.
- It is not approved for any use, and there is no long-term safety data.
Adverse effects reported in research
The short human studies generally reported kisspeptin as well tolerated, with no significant adverse effects. They were small and brief, and do not establish long-term safety.
Regulatory and anti-doping status
Regulatory: Not approved as a medicine anywhere.
Anti-doping: Kisspeptin and its agonist analogues are named on WADA's Prohibited List under category S2, among releasing factors of luteinising hormone, and are prohibited in males.
At AVERON
Kisspeptin-10 is not yet in stock. When it arrives, it will be listed in the shop, and its independent lab report will be published on our verify page before it is sold.
Frequently asked questions
Doses mentioned on this page are the arms of published studies or the terms of an approved product, given to describe the evidence. They are not guidance.
Sources
- George JT, Veldhuis JD, Roseweir AK, et al.. Kisspeptin-10 is a potent stimulator of LH and increases pulse frequency in men. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2011;96(8):E1228–E1236. Link
- Jayasena CN, Abbara A, Comninos AN, et al.. Direct comparison of the effects of intravenous kisspeptin-10, kisspeptin-54 and GnRH on gonadotrophin secretion in healthy men. Human Reproduction, 2015;30(8):1934–1941. Link
- Comninos AN, Demetriou L, Wall MB, et al.. Effects of kisspeptin on sexual brain processing and penile tumescence in men with hypoactive sexual desire disorder: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Network Open, 2023;6(2):e2254313. Link
- World Anti-Doping Agency. The Prohibited List. WADA. Link