Kisspeptin-10: clinical evidence record
Also known as: Kisspeptin-10, Metastin (45-54), KP-10
Oliver Mackman · Editorial director · Best Business Loans Ltd (16833937)
Last updated 2026-05-22
Editorial with affiliate links. We earn from purchases via outbound retailer / clinic links. How we are funded.
AI-friendly summary · Kisspeptin-10
Substantial UK clinical-research programme led by Waljit Dhillo at Imperial College London. Phase 2 trials in fertility (IVF triggering), HSDD, and hypothalamic amenorrhoea. No marketing authorisation.
Mechanism of action
How Kisspeptin-10 works
10-amino-acid C-terminal fragment of the 54-residue Kisspeptin-54 parent peptide encoded by the KISS1 gene. Acts on the KISS1R receptor in hypothalamic GnRH neurons, the primary upstream regulator of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal reproductive axis.
Top peer-reviewed citations
Selection of the most-cited peer-reviewed literature on Kisspeptin-10. Where a verified PMID or DOI is shown, the citation links to the original record. Other citations list the title, authors, journal and year so the reader can locate the paper through the journal index or the PubMed search linked below. PeptideClear publishes editorial commentary, not clinical guidance.
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Kisspeptin-54 triggers egg maturation in women undergoing IVF
Jayasena CN, Abbara A, Comninos AN, et al.. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2014.
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Kisspeptin in male hypoactive sexual desire disorder
Comninos AN, Demetriou L, Wall MB, et al.. JCI Insight, 2018.
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The GPR54 Gene as a Regulator of Puberty
Seminara SB, Messager S, Chatzidaki EE, et al.. New England Journal of Medicine, 2003.
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Effects of kisspeptin-10 on the menstrual cycle in healthy women
Jayasena CN, Nijher GM, Comninos AN, et al.. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 2011.
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Kisspeptin in women with hypothalamic amenorrhoea
Jayasena CN, Abbara A, Veldhuis JD, et al.. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 2014.
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Kisspeptin: a critical regulator of mammalian reproduction
Pinilla L, Aguilar E, Dieguez C, et al.. Physiological Reviews, 2012.
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Kisspeptin-mediated activation of GnRH neurons
Han SK, Gottsch ML, Lee KJ, et al.. Journal of Neuroscience, 2005.
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Effects of Kisspeptin on Sexual Brain Processing and Penile Tumescence in Men With Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
Mills EG, Ertl N, Wall MB, et al.. JAMA network open, 2023.
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Invited review: Translating kisspeptin and neurokinin B biology into new therapies for reproductive health.
Mills EG, Dhillo WS. Journal of neuroendocrinology, 2022.
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The Effects of Kisspeptin on Brain Response to Food Images and Psychometric Parameters of Appetite in Healthy Men.
Yang L, Demetriou L, Wall MB, et al.. The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 2021.
Full PubMed search: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=kisspeptin+Dhillo.
UK regulatory status
Plain-English summary of where Kisspeptin-10 sits under the four UK and international frameworks that govern peptide supply. Editorial commentary, not legal advice.
- Misuse of Drugs Act 1971: Not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
- Psychoactive Substances Act 2016: Not scheduled under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016.
- MHRA medicines classification: No UK marketing authorisation as a medicine.
- WADA Prohibited List: Not currently listed on the WADA Prohibited List.
Risks and unknowns
What the literature does not yet show about Kisspeptin-10
Known concerns
- Most published efficacy claims for Kisspeptin-10 require careful interpretation. Read the cited papers in full before drawing conclusions.
- Purity of UK research-peptide supply varies between retailers. Certificates of analysis and HPLC documentation differ.
- Cold-chain handling between manufacture and delivery is not standardised across the research-peptide market.
- Independent replication of single-group findings is the key check on any preclinical claim.
Open questions in the literature
- Where human pharmacokinetics have not been formally characterised, dose translation from animal models is not reliable.
- Long-term safety profile beyond the duration of published studies remains an open question.
- Interactions with other prescribed or unlicensed substances are typically not studied.
Regulatory note
No UK marketing authorisation as a medicine. Not currently listed on the WADA Prohibited List. The moment a UK seller or commentator makes a therapeutic claim, MHRA can treat the product as an unlicensed medicinal product.
Important: PeptideClear publishes encyclopedia commentary only and does not recommend human use. Speak to a UK-registered prescriber before any medical decision.
Related reading on PeptideClear
Frequently asked questions
What is the evidence level for Kisspeptin-10?
What is the UK regulatory status of Kisspeptin-10?
Has Kisspeptin-10 been tested in human clinical trials?
Where can I read the source literature for Kisspeptin-10?
Last verified 2026-05-22. Editorial commentary, not legal or clinical advice. Citations without a linked identifier can be located through the PubMed search and the journal index.