Kisspeptin-10: The Master Switch for Reproduction
Kisspeptin-10 is a tiny molecule made of just ten amino acids—think of it as a chemical key that unlocks your body's reproductive system. People use it to treat conditions where reproductive hormones aren't being produced properly, like low testosterone or infertility, because it works with your body's natural machinery rather than replacing it entirely.
Here's how it actually works: Your brain has a region called the hypothalamus that acts like command central for reproduction. Inside it are special neurons that release a hormone called GnRH, which then tells your pituitary gland to pump out two more hormones—LH and FSH. These travel through your bloodstream and signal your gonads to make testosterone or estrogen. The problem is, these GnRH neurons need something to trigger them in the first place. That's where kisspeptin-10 comes in. It's essentially the on-switch for the whole system. When kisspeptin-10 binds to receptors on these GnRH neurons, it wakes them up and gets them firing. This cascade naturally restores hormone production without just flooding your system with synthetic hormones. It's like fixing a broken light switch instead of just leaving the lights on all the time—your body can regulate itself normally again.
Dosage Information
Typical Dose
1-10 mcg/kg
Frequency
As directed by clinician
Administration
Subcutaneous or intravenous injection
Half-Life
4–5 minutes
Notes
Kisspeptin-10 is the most commonly used fragment. Dosing is highly variable and typically clinician-directed. Research doses in studies range from 0.3-10 mcg/kg. Used in fertility medicine to trigger ovulation as an alternative to hCG.
Why this matters
Extremely short; IV or subcutaneous bolus triggers acute LH/FSH release.
Protocol cycle
Dose Calculator
Calculate your draw amount for an insulin syringe (U-100)
Draw to the
0
unit mark
Draw 0 units for your 1mcg dose of Kisspeptin
This calculator is for educational purposes. Always verify your calculations and consult a healthcare professional.
Where does Kisspeptin sit?
See how this peptide compares across all 150 peptides in our database.
Evidence Score
0.62
Compound Data
Molecular Formula
C258H401N79O78
Molecular Weight
5857.00 g/mol
IUPAC Name
(4S)-4-[[(2S)-1-[(2S)-1-[(2S)-1-[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S,3R)-2-[(2-aminoacetyl)amino]-3-hydroxybutanoyl]amino]-3-hydroxypropanoyl]amino]-4-methylpentanoyl]amino]-3-hydroxypropanoyl]pyrrolidine-2-carbonyl]pyrrolidine-2-carbonyl]pyrrolidine-2-carbonyl]amino]-5-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[2-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-5-amino-1-[[(2S)-5-amino-1-[(2S)-2-[[2-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-5-amino-1-[[(2S,3S)-1-[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-1-[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-5-amino-1-[[2-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-5-amino-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-6-amino-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-4-amino-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-4-amino-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-4-amino-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[2-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-amino-1-oxo-3-phenylpropan-2-yl]amino]-5-carbamimidamido-1-oxopentan-2-yl]amino]-4-methyl-1-oxopentan-2-yl]amino]-2-oxoethyl]amino]-1-oxo-3-phenylpropan-2-yl]amino]-3-hydroxy-1-oxopropan-2-yl]amino]-1,4-dioxobutan-2-yl]amino]-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-1-oxopropan-2-yl]amino]-1,4-dioxobutan-2-yl]amino]-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-oxopropan-2-yl]amino]-1,4-dioxobutan-2-yl]carbamoyl]pyrrolidin-1-yl]-4-methyl-1-oxopentan-2-yl]amino]-3-carboxy-1-oxopropan-2-yl]amino]-1-oxohexan-2-yl]amino]-4-carboxy-1-oxobutan-2-yl]amino]-5-carbamimidamido-1-oxopentan-2-yl]amino]-1,5-dioxopentan-2-yl]amino]-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl]amino]-4-methyl-1-oxopentan-2-yl]amino]-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl]amino]-1-oxopropan-2-yl]amino]-2-oxoethyl]amino]-1,5-dioxopentan-2-yl]carbamoyl]pyrrolidin-1-yl]-1-oxopropan-2-yl]carbamoyl]pyrrolidin-1-yl]-3-methyl-1-oxopentan-2-yl]amino]-1,5-dioxopentan-2-yl]amino]-5-carbamimidamido-1-oxopentan-2-yl]amino]-3-hydroxy-1-oxopropan-2-yl]amino]-3-(1H-imidazol-5-yl)-1-oxopropan-2-yl]carbamoyl]pyrrolidin-1-yl]-1-oxopropan-2-yl]amino]-3-hydroxy-1-oxopropan-2-yl]amino]-4-methyl-1-oxopentan-2-yl]amino]-2-oxoethyl]carbamoyl]pyrrolidin-1-yl]-1,5-dioxopentan-2-yl]amino]-1,5-dioxopentan-2-yl]amino]-5-carbamimidamido-1-oxopentan-2-yl]amino]-3-hydroxy-1-oxopropan-2-yl]amino]-2-oxoethyl]amino]-3-hydroxy-1-oxopropan-2-yl]amino]-3-hydroxy-1-oxopropan-2-yl]amino]-5-oxopentanoic acid
PubChem CID
71306396Potential Side Effects
Kisspeptin discussions
Quick Facts
- Administration
- Subcutaneous or intravenous injection
- Typical Dose
- 1-10 mcg/kg
- Frequency
- As directed by clinician
- References
- 2 curated + 10 from PubMed
- Clinical Trials
- 3 registered
- Evidence Score
- 0.6 / 100
Frequently Asked Questions about Kisspeptin
What is Kisspeptin?
Kisspeptin-10 is the shortest bioactive fragment of the kisspeptin family — a 10-amino-acid peptide that retains the full receptor-activating potency of longer kisspeptin forms. As the master regulator of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis kisspeptin-10 stimulates GnRH release triggering LH and FSH secretion and downstream sex hormone production. It has been studied in clinical trials for hypogonadism infertility and as a potential treatment for reproductive disorders offering a physiologically targeted approach to hormonal restoration.
How does Kisspeptin work?
Kisspeptin-10 acts on kisspeptin receptors (KISS1R also called GPR54) in GnRH neurons of the hypothalamus triggering pulsatile GnRH release. GnRH then stimulates pituitary LH and FSH secretion which drives gonadal testosterone and estrogen production. Kisspeptin signaling is the essential upstream trigger for puberty and reproductive function — mice lacking kisspeptin or KISS1R are infertile. The 10-amino acid fragment Kp-10 retains full KISS1R binding affinity and is the minimum sequence required for receptor activation. In clinical studies intranasal Kisspeptin-10 has stimulated LH pulses and testosterone secretion in men with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism offering a potential alternative to exogenous hormone administration that preserves the physiological HPG axis.
What is the recommended dosage for Kisspeptin?
The typical dose is 1-10 mcg/kg. As directed by clinician. Administration: Subcutaneous or intravenous injection. Kisspeptin-10 is the most commonly used fragment. Dosing is highly variable and typically clinician-directed. Research doses in studies range from 0.3-10 mcg/kg. Used in fertility medicine to trigger ovulation as an alternative to hCG.
What are the side effects of Kisspeptin?
Injection site reaction. Hot flashes. Headache. Nausea (uncommon). Hormonal fluctuations
What is the Kisspeptin cycle protocol?
Kisspeptin is typically cycled as needed. Clinician-directed dosing for fertility/ovulation triggering
Questions reflect common community inquiries. This is not medical advice.