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What is Kisspeptin-10?

Kisspeptin-10 is a 10-amino-acid peptide, the fully active end piece of the hormone kisspeptin-54.1 It activates the kisspeptin receptor (KISS1R); animal studies show it acts on the brain's GnRH nerve cells, and in people it raises LH.23 It is not FDA approved, and human studies have been small, using single doses or infusions of up to 22.5 hours.45

This page summarizes published sources for information only. It is not medical advice and does not tell anyone to use a product. Questions about your own health belong with a licensed clinician. For questions about an order or a product, contact us.

Key facts

ClassPeptide hormone fragment that activates the kisspeptin receptor (KISS1R, also called GPR54)2
Also known asKP-10, metastin 45-54, human metastin (45-54), kisspeptin-13 (4-13)67
Forms we sell5 mg research vial
Regulatory statusNot FDA approved and no US drug label; FDA lists Kisspeptin-10 in compounding Category 2 (significant safety risks)58
WADA statusProhibited at all times for male athletes (S2.2.1, testosterone-stimulating peptides)9

What sources report

Origin and structure

The KISS1 gene was identified in 1996 in Hershey, Pennsylvania, as a suppressor of melanoma spread, and it was named after the town's chocolate Kisses.36 Its protein is cut into kisspeptin-54, also called metastin, which can be cut further into peptides of 14, 13 and 10 amino acids.37 Kisspeptin-10 matches positions 112 to 121 of the precursor in UniProt and ends in phenylalanine amide. Its sequence is YNWNSFGLRF-NH2.3822

How it acts

Kisspeptins are the natural ligands of the kisspeptin receptor, KISS1R (also called GPR54).2 In rodent and monkey studies, kisspeptin acted directly on GnRH nerve cells in the hypothalamus; in people this action is inferred from those findings. The GnRH they release drives the pituitary to make LH and FSH, which in turn drive the testes and ovaries.3 People born with inactivating mutations in kisspeptin or its receptor have hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (low reproductive hormones) and delayed puberty.3 In 13 healthy men, one IV dose set off an immediate LH pulse and reset the timing of the brain's GnRH pulse generator.4243

What human studies show

Kisspeptin-10 has been tested in people only in small, short studies: single IV doses or infusions of up to 22.5 hours.4 Participants were healthy men and women, men with type 2 diabetes and low testosterone, patients with rare inherited hormone defects, and youths with delayed puberty.49152324 In 16 of those youths, a one-time IV test helped predict who would go on to progress through puberty.24 The larger trials that draw most attention, on IVF egg maturation (up to 62 women) and low sexual desire (32 men; 32 women), used kisspeptin-54 instead.252126 Every finding with its evidence level is on Kisspeptin-10 benefits and uses.

How it compares

Compound Where it acts How long it lasts US status
Kisspeptin-10 KISS1R on GnRH nerve cells in the brain23 Plasma half-life of about 4 minutes41 Not FDA approved5
Kisspeptin-54 Same receptor; contains the kisspeptin-10 sequence1 Plasma half-life of 27.6 minutes41 Not FDA approved; UK IVF trials ran as investigational medicine trials520
Gonadorelin (GnRH) The pituitary, one step after kisspeptin2710 Initial half-life of 2 to 10 minutes28 Two FDA-approved human products, Factrel and Lutrepulse, both discontinued; current approvals are for cattle2930
hCG The testes or ovaries, acting like LH17 LH-like activity can persist up to a week18 FDA-regulated prescription drug, for example Novarel17

In a 3-hour IV comparison in healthy men, GnRH raised LH and FSH about 3 times more than kisspeptin-10, while kisspeptin-10 and kisspeptin-54 had similar effects.454419 Synthetic long-acting kisspeptin analogs behave differently: given continuously at the higher doses tested, TAK-683 and TAK-448 (later called MVT-602) pushed testosterone below castration level by day 7 to 8 in healthy men.31132 The related profiles are What is Gonadorelin? and What is HCG?.

Researchers who need the compound itself can find Kisspeptin-10 for sale as a 5 mg research vial.

Side effects

No kisspeptin-related adverse events were reported in three kisspeptin-10 studies that tracked safety, with 4 to 13 people each.504223 Trials of 75-minute kisspeptin-54 infusions also found it well tolerated in 32 men and in 32 women.3326 Repeated or continuous exposure works differently: in 5 women with hypothalamic amenorrhea, the LH response to twice-daily kisspeptin-54 fell to about a tenth within 2 weeks, and continuous long-acting analogs suppressed testosterone in healthy men.34311 FDA says it lacks the safety information to know whether kisspeptin-10 would cause harm in people.35 Full list: Kisspeptin-10 side effects.

Dosage information

No human dose of kisspeptin-10 is established, and there is no label to give one.5 Published doses were weight-based, in micrograms or nanomoles per kilogram, and were mostly given into a vein, once or over several hours, in supervised research studies.416 In follicular-phase women, kisspeptin-10 injected under the skin did not significantly change reproductive hormones.40 Every published dose with its study: Kisspeptin-10 dosage.

Reconstitution and storage

In a 2015 UK trial, freeze-dried kisspeptin-10 and kisspeptin-54 made by Bachem were stored at -20 °C and reconstituted in 0.5 ml of 0.9% saline.46 A 2011 study used GMP-made kisspeptin-10 at 97% purity by HPLC and dissolved 1 mg in 5 ml of sterile normal saline within the hour before use.47 A US team had its reconstituted aliquots tested for sterility, pyrogens, purity and concentration.12 These are research handling details. For general lab steps, see the reconstitution guide; the reconstitution calculator does the concentration math.

Regulatory status

Kisspeptin-10 has no FDA approval and no US prescribing label.5 FDA added it to its list of bulk drug substances that may present significant safety risks on September 29, 2023.48 FDA cited a possible risk of immune reactions for certain routes, complexities with peptide-related impurities and characterization, and no or only limited safety information.4835 In the US studies reviewed, it was given under FDA oversight: a 2011 Massachusetts General Hospital protocol was approved by FDA, and a 2020 study used investigational new drug number 113 591.1213 The UK kisspeptin-54 IVF trials were run as clinical trials of an investigational medicinal product.20 In sport, WADA added kisspeptin to its Prohibited List in 2024, and the 2026 List bans it for male athletes at all times under S2.2.1.119

More on Kisspeptin-10

  • Kisspeptin-10 dosage

    Published dosing information for Kisspeptin-10 from clinical trials and published studies, with its source, and why it is not advice for you.

  • Kisspeptin-10 benefits and uses

    What published sources report about Kisspeptin-10 and its uses, with the evidence level of each finding. No promises.

  • Kisspeptin-10 side effects

    Side effects of Kisspeptin-10 as reported in clinical trials and published studies, with links to the full profile. Reviewed by a qualified reviewer.

Kisspeptin-10 in the store

Kisspeptin-10 for sale: strengths, stock and shipping are on the product page.

For research use only. Not for human or veterinary use. Read the research use policy.

Related reading

Related profiles

Frequently asked questions

Is kisspeptin a hormone?

Yes. Kisspeptin is a secreted peptide made from the KISS1 gene, and it works through its own receptor, KISS1R.2 The NCBI gene record says it regulates the pubertal activation of GnRH nerve cells.10 WADA lists it with the peptide hormones in section S2 of its Prohibited List, noting that it acts to stimulate GnRH secretion and, as a result, testosterone.11

Is kisspeptin FDA approved?

No. As of October 2026, a DailyMed search for kisspeptin returns no drug labels, so there is no approved product and no US prescribing label.5 FDA keeps Kisspeptin-10 in Category 2 of bulk substances nominated for compounding, the group that raises significant safety risks, on its list updated May 14, 2026.8 Massachusetts General Hospital studies gave it under FDA oversight, one under an investigational new drug number.1213

What does taking kisspeptin do?

In research studies, kisspeptin-10 given into a vein raised LH rapidly in healthy men, peaking within 45 minutes.1439 Infusions lasting 11 to 22.5 hours raised testosterone in men while they ran.415 In women, it raised LH and FSH in the preovulatory phase of the cycle but not in the follicular phase at the doses tested.1640 These were small, supervised studies, not approved treatments.

Is kisspeptin better than hCG?

They act at different points in the same hormone chain. hCG works directly on the testes or ovaries, with an action the Novarel label calls virtually identical to pituitary LH.17 Kisspeptin acts upstream, so the LH surge it causes depends on the person's own GnRH and gonadotropin reserves.18 IVF researchers tested kisspeptin-54 partly because hCG's LH-like activity can last up to a week, and in 2015 they called for large randomized trials comparing it directly with current triggers.18

What is the difference between kisspeptin-10 and kisspeptin-54?

Kisspeptin-10 is the last 10 amino acids of the 54-amino-acid form and carries its full activity.1 Given into a vein, the two had similar effects on reproductive hormones in healthy men.19 Kisspeptin-10 has a plasma half-life of about 4 minutes, against 27.6 minutes for kisspeptin-54, and researchers state that kisspeptin-54, but not kisspeptin-10, can be given under the skin because of its longer half-life.41 The IVF and sexual-desire trials used kisspeptin-54.2021

Written by D2C Peptides Editorial Team.

Pending qualified review.

Updated .

Sources

  1. Sustained exposure to the investigational Kisspeptin analog, TAK-448, down-regulates testosterone into the castration range in healthy males and in patients with prostate cancer: results from two phase 1 studies (MacLean et al.), abstract: results. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (PubMed record via NCBI E-utilities), 2014.
  2. KISS1_HUMAN (Q15726): Metastasis-suppressor KiSS-1, function. UniProt Consortium (UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot), 2026.
  3. The kisspeptin-GnRH pathway in human reproductive health and disease (Skorupskaite, George, Anderson). Human Reproduction Update (PMC), 2014.
  4. Kisspeptin-10 is a potent stimulator of LH and increases pulse frequency in men (George et al.): 22.5-hour infusion. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (PMC), 2011.
  5. DailyMed search results for kisspeptin. DailyMed, NIH/NLM, 2026.
  6. Kisspeptin-10 (CID 25240297): synonyms. PubChem, NIH/NLM, 2026.
  7. NCT03771326: KP-10 and Insulin Secretion in Men. ClinicalTrials.gov (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2014.
  8. Bulk Drug Substances Nominated for Use in Compounding Under Section 503A of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (category lists). U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2026.
  9. Tractatenblad 2026, 25: Anti-Doping Convention annex, the 2026 Prohibited List (official text). Tractatenblad van het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden (Dutch Treaty Series), text of the WADA 2026 Prohibited List, 2026.
  10. KISS1 KiSS-1 metastasis suppressor (Gene ID 3814), gene summary. NCBI Gene, NIH/NLM, 2026.
  11. Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory Notes, 2024 Prohibited List. World Anti-Doping Agency (hosted by the International Testing Agency), 2023.
  12. Kisspeptin Resets the Hypothalamic GnRH Clock in Men (Chan et al.): oversight and peptide testing. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (PMC), 2011.
  13. Using Kisspeptin to Predict Pubertal Outcomes for Youth With Pubertal Delay (Chan et al.): methods. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (PMC), 2020.
  14. Kisspeptin-10 is a potent stimulator of LH and increases pulse frequency in men (George et al.), abstract. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (PubMed record via NCBI E-utilities), 2011.
  15. Exploring the pathophysiology of hypogonadism in men with type 2 diabetes: kisspeptin-10 stimulates serum testosterone and LH secretion in men with type 2 diabetes and mild biochemical hypogonadism (George et al.). Clinical Endocrinology (PubMed record via NCBI E-utilities), 2013.
  16. The effects of kisspeptin-10 on reproductive hormone release show sexual dimorphism in humans (Jayasena et al.): testosterone and sex differences. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (PMC), 2011.
  17. Novarel (chorionic gonadotropin for injection) prescribing label. openFDA, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (Ferring Pharmaceuticals label, BLA017016, effective 2025-08-27), 2025.
  18. Efficacy of Kisspeptin-54 to Trigger Oocyte Maturation in Women at High Risk of OHSS During IVF Therapy (Abbara et al.): hCG versus kisspeptin. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (PMC), 2015.
  19. Direct comparison of the effects of intravenous kisspeptin-10, kisspeptin-54 and GnRH on gonadotrophin secretion in healthy men (Jayasena et al.): safety and conclusion. Human Reproduction (PMC), 2015.
  20. Kisspeptin-54 triggers egg maturation in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (Jayasena et al.): safety and regulatory approval. Journal of Clinical Investigation (PMC), 2014.
  21. Effects of Kisspeptin on Sexual Brain Processing and Penile Tumescence in Men With Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial (Mills et al.), abstract. JAMA Network Open (PubMed record via NCBI E-utilities), 2023.
  22. Kisspeptin-10 (CID 25240297): full compound record. PubChem, NIH/NLM, 2026.
  23. Kisspeptin Restores Pulsatile LH Secretion in Patients with Neurokinin B Signaling Deficiencies (Young et al.): dosing and safety. Neuroendocrinology (PMC), 2013.
  24. Using Kisspeptin to Predict Pubertal Outcomes for Youth With Pubertal Delay (Chan et al.), abstract. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (PubMed record via NCBI E-utilities), 2020.
  25. A second dose of kisspeptin-54 improves oocyte maturation in women at high risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: a Phase 2 randomized controlled trial (Abbara et al.), abstract. Human Reproduction (PubMed record via NCBI E-utilities), 2017.
  26. Effects of Kisspeptin Administration in Women With Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial (Thurston et al.): design and safety. JAMA Network Open (PMC), 2022.
  27. GNRH1 gonadotropin releasing hormone 1 [Homo sapiens] (Gene ID 2796): RefSeq summary. NCBI Gene, NIH/NLM, 2015.
  28. Gonadorelin (CID 638793): pharmacology and biochemistry (DrugBank; WHO ATC). PubChem, NIH/NLM, 2026.
  29. Drugs@FDA data: applications with active ingredient gonadorelin. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (openFDA), 2026.
  30. 21 CFR 522.1077 Gonadorelin. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), Office of the Federal Register, 2026.
  31. Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of TAK-683, an investigational metastin analogue in healthy men (Scott et al.): results. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology (PMC), 2013.
  32. Kisspeptin receptor agonist has therapeutic potential for female reproductive disorders (Abbara et al.): MVT-602. Journal of Clinical Investigation (PMC), 2020.
  33. Effects of Kisspeptin on Sexual Brain Processing and Penile Tumescence in Men With Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (Mills et al.): full text. JAMA Network Open (PMC), 2023.
  34. Subcutaneous injection of kisspeptin-54 in women with hypothalamic amenorrhea (Jayasena et al.), abstract: day 1 versus day 14. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (PubMed record via NCBI E-utilities), 2009.
  35. Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding that May Present Significant Safety Risks (Kisspeptin-10 safety information). U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2026.
  36. Same source as 3: discovery of KISS1.
  37. Same source as 3: kisspeptin isoforms.
  38. Same source as 2: peptide features.
  39. Same source as 4: dose response.
  40. Same source as 16: responses in women.
  41. Same source as 19: half-life and route.
  42. Same source as 12: dose and safety.
  43. Same source as 12: participants.
  44. Same source as 19: potency and cost.
  45. Same source as 19: design.
  46. Same source as 19: materials and storage.
  47. Same source as 4: peptide preparation.
  48. Same source as 35: Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding that May Present Significant Safety Risks (Kisspeptin-10 entry).
  49. Same source as 16: participants and doses.
  50. Same source as 4: bolus study.