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PCT & hormone control

Kisspeptin-10

The natural trigger of the hormone axis, one step above GnRH, that kicks off LH and testosterone release.

2 min read 11 sources

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Kisspeptin-10 vial with white powder and the black TPD label on a white podium, next to a branched blue 3D peptide chain in a bright lab
Phase 2 · not approvedLab tested in the shop

Summary

At a glance

Sources checked on 26 Oct 2026

Length
10 amino acids

the end piece of kisspeptin-54 (metastin 45 to 54)11

LH after one dose
~3 -fold

healthy men, 30 minutes after a dose into a vein1

Testosterone
+45 %

with continuous infusion over 22.5 hours, 4 healthy men1

Longest dosing under the skin
12 days

8 hours a day, the hormones stayed raised (healthy men)6

Phase 2 in the registry
4 trials

plus 9 in phase 1, no approval trial, as of 26 Oct 202610

  • Kisspeptin-10 is the shortest fully active piece of the body's own kisspeptin. It binds the receptor KISS1R and so starts the hormone axis: GnRH, then LH and FSH.17
  • If this receptor fails because of a gene change, puberty does not happen in humans. That is why kisspeptin is seen as the starting signal of the reproductive axis.89
  • In healthy men one dose into a vein tripled LH within 30 minutes. A continuous infusion over 22.5 hours raised testosterone by about 45 percent and made LH pulses more frequent.1
  • The effect depends on sex and cycle: in women in the early cycle phase LH did not rise, shortly before ovulation it did. In a direct comparison GnRH acted more strongly in men.25
  • Kisspeptin-10 is not approved. The registry lists phase 1 and 2 trials, mostly to study the hormone axis. Everything here is the state of research, not a recommendation.1011
Profile

Updated May 2026

Class
Kisspeptin

hormone-axis trigger

Use
Subcutaneous

in mcg

Half-life
very short
WADA
not specifically listed

axis-active

Sizes
5 to 10 mg

2 sizes in the shop

Contents 16 sections
  1. At a glance
  2. What is Kisspeptin-10?
  3. How it works
  4. What you need
  5. Reconstitution
  6. Dosing
  7. Injection
  8. What the research shows
  9. Research status
  10. Side effects
  11. Practice
  12. Storage
  13. Related compounds
  14. FAQ
  15. Glossary
  16. Sources

What is Kisspeptin-10?

Kisspeptin-10 is an endogenous peptide that sits at the very top of the hormone axis, one step above GnRH. It is the actual trigger that tells the brain to release GnRH and in turn LH, FSH and testosterone.

Unlike constant stimulation, kisspeptin drives the axis in a natural way, which makes it interesting in reproduction and hormone-regulation research.

Comparison

Where on the hormone axis each one acts

From top to bottom: kisspeptin, GnRH, LH and the oestrogen feedback, as described in the TPD lexicon. Tap a card to open its entry.

Starting signal in the hypothalamus Kisspeptin-10 KISS1R GnRH-R LH-R ER 1 of 4 targets
GnRH itself, one level lower Gonadorelin KISS1R GnRH-R LH-R ER 1 of 4 targets Acts like LH directly on the testes HCG KISS1R GnRH-R LH-R ER 1 of 4 targets Releases the oestrogen brake Enclomiphene (Androxal) KISS1R GnRH-R LH-R ER 1 of 4 targets

Simplified: kisspeptin sits at the start of the chain. In a direct comparison GnRH acted about three times more strongly on LH and FSH in men. 5

How it works

Kisspeptin binds the KISS1R receptor in the hypothalamus and triggers GnRH release there. GnRH in turn drives LH and FSH, which stimulate testosterone and sperm production in the testes. So kisspeptin sits at the start of the chain.

Where it acts

One receptor at the start of the axis

Tap a point or a card. Colour = receptor, grey = observed. Data from small human studies.

  1. Hypothalamus

    Triggers GnRH release, LH pulses became more frequent1

    KISS1R
  2. Testes

    Testosterone rose by about 45 percent with continuous infusion1

    Observed in trials

Known targets7

Compound CHEMBL376756: one described target, Natural ligand, activates the receptor.

Kisspeptin receptor (GPR54)
Gene
KISS1R
UniProt
Q969F8
ChEMBL
CHEMBL5413
Action
Natural ligand, activates the receptor
Glass dome on top of a stalk holding blue molecule chains, from which a pulse of light runs down into a glass structure of coiled tubes
Symbolic image.

What you need

Supplies

2 things, numbered as in the picture

Tick off what you already have. Vial and BAC water are our real shop photos at the same size.

Kisspeptin-10 vial and bacteriostatic water at the same size with the black TPD label, next to two U-100 insulin syringes, two alcohol swabs and a sharps container with a blue lid

  1. Kisspeptin-10 vial

    The kisspeptin-10 vial (lyophilized powder).

    In the shop

  2. Water and supplies

    Bacteriostatic water, U-100 insulin syringes, alcohol swabs.

    In the shop Amazon (opens a new tab)

As an Amazon associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links open Amazon - no extra cost for you.

Reconstitution

Use the peptide calculator. A 5mg vial with 2ml water gives 2500mcg per ml, 100mcg is then 4 units on the U-100 syringe. Just add the water to the vial and let it dissolve.

Step by step

Dissolving the powder

Four steps, the same for every vial size.

  1. 1Wipe the cap

    Clean the rubber stopper with an alcohol swab.

  2. 2Add BAC water

    Just add it, it does not matter if it hits the powder directly.

  3. 3Swirl or shake

    Until everything has dissolved, both are fine.

  4. 4Draw up

    With the U-100 insulin syringe.

Less water higher concentration fewer units on the syringe Example: 5 mg + 2 ml = 2.5 mg/ml

Dosing

Dosing

Dosing, titration and syringe

Loading the dosing information …

  • Getting started and stepping up, drawn as a staircase
  • Units on the U-100 syringe for every step
  • How long one vial lasts

Injection

The injection is subcutaneous, into the fat layer under the skin. Common spots are the abdomen (keep about two finger-widths clear of the navel), the front and the inner side of the thigh, or the back of the upper arm.

The short version:

Injection

Where and at what angle

Pick a spot or switch the angle. Subcutaneous means: into the fat layer, not the muscle.

Rotate the spot each time, never the same one twice in a row.

90°More fat under the skin

Rule of thumb: where there is more fat under the skin, insert straight at 90 degrees. In lean people with little fat, 45 degrees, so the needle stays in the fat layer. Simplified diagram.

  1. Clean the spot with an alcohol swab and let it dry

  2. Pinch up a small fold of skin

  3. Insert the needle: at 90 degrees where there is more fat under the skin, at 45 degrees in lean people with little fat

  4. Inject slowly, wait a moment, then withdraw

  5. Put the needle straight into the sharps container

Rotate the site each time so the tissue does not get irritated. Never the same spot twice in a row.

What the research shows

A study (George, 2011) showed that kisspeptin-10 strongly raised LH in men, increased pulse frequency and raised testosterone. That confirms the mechanism as an axis trigger. Most data come from controlled infusion studies, not performance protocols.

Study results

What the trials measured

Interactive: switch tabs, tap points, show or hide arms. Arms are named relative to each other, no dosing advice.

LH in the blood before and with kisspeptin-101

Mean values in healthy men

Single dose into a vein1 30 minutes later, 6 men, strongest effect in the test
Before dosing 4.1 IU/l
With kisspeptin-10 12.4 IU/l
Continuous infusion over 22.5 hours1 4 men, higher of the two infusion levels
Before dosing 5.4 IU/l
With kisspeptin-10 20.8 IU/l

The highest single dose tested acted more weakly than the next lower one. At the lower infusion level the number of LH pulses rose from 0.7 to 1.0 per hour.

Testosterone before and during continuous infusion14

Mean values in nmol/l

Healthy men1 Infusion over 22.5 hours, 4 men
Before dosing 16.6 nmol/l
With kisspeptin-10 24.0 nmol/l
Type 2 diabetes with low testosterone4 Infusion over 11 hours, 4 men
Before dosing 8.5 nmol/l
With kisspeptin-10 11.4 nmol/l

Very small studies over hours, not weeks. With 12 days under the skin with a daily break LH, FSH and testosterone stayed raised; with 5 days without a break LH fell back to control level.

LH rise after one dose in women3

Extra area under the LH curve in the hour afterwards

After menopause3 6 women
With kisspeptin-10 5.3 IU/l·h
Progestogen only (implant)3 4 women
With kisspeptin-10 2.6 IU/l·h
Early cycle phase3 10 women
With kisspeptin-10 2.3 IU/l·h
Combined pill3 4 women, not significant
With kisspeptin-10 0.9 IU/l·h

The response depends strongly on the body's own sex hormones. A second group saw no rise at all in the early cycle phase, but did shortly before ovulation.

Stainless steel lab cart with a glass brain on a glowing base and a small glass ovary next to it
Symbolic image.

Research status

Where the research stands

Trials with kisspeptin-10 (also listed as kisspeptin 112-121) to study the hormone axis. Three small basic-science studies the registry lists as phase 3 are not counted as approval trials here. As of 26 Oct 2026.

  1. Preclinical Discovery as the natural ligand of GPR54 (KISS1R)
  2. Phase 1 9 trials, 7 completed, 1 stopped early
  3. Phase 2 4 trials, 2 completed
  4. Phase 3 no registered trial
  5. Approval not yet
Not approved. ChEMBL lists kisspeptin-10 with phase 3 as the highest phase, which comes from the three basic-science studies registered as phase 3.10
Show all 4 phase 2 trials on a timelineHide timeline 2 completed 2 running 0 with results
Phase 2

Bar: start to primary endpoint (planned for running trials). Green = completed, blue = progress until 26 Oct 2026. Phase 1: 9 trials on safety and pharmacokinetics, not shown as bars.

Side effects

  • Generally well tolerated in the studies, mainly local reactions.
  • Theoretically, overstimulation could throw the axis off rhythm.
  • Solid long-term self-use data are missing.

Practice

  1. Interesting as an axis trigger, but practically hard to use given the very short action.

  2. Approach low and observant, the self-use data is thin.

White bowl of fresh fruit, a glass of water and a closed notebook on a bright table in daylight

Storage

Before mixing the powder is robust, normal room temperature (around 20 to 25 degrees) is fine, ideally kept in the dark. After mixing, keep in the fridge (2 to 8 degrees), do not freeze. It stays good there for at least 4 to 6 months with barely any loss of potency, in practice considerably longer. Swirl or shake to mix, both are fine.

Shelf life

How long it keeps

Undissolved (powder) Room temperature, around 20 to 25 degrees, dark

Robust, no fridge needed. Keeps for several months without trouble.

Dissolved (mixed) Fridge, 2 to 8 degrees, do not freeze

At least 4 to 6 months with barely any loss of potency. The bacteriostatic water brings a preservative.

  • Keep it dark
  • Dissolved: 2 to 8 degrees
  • Note the mixing date on the vial
Nine vials with white powder and blue caps in the door shelf of a bright fridge
Powder dark at room temperature, once dissolved into the fridge (2 to 8 degrees), stable there for at least 4 to 6 months. Symbolic image.

Related

Related compounds

Blends with Kisspeptin-10 or a different path: all in the TPD lexicon.

Kisspeptin-10
Kisspeptin-10 Nasal Spray Kisspeptin-10 as a nasal spray Gonadorelin GnRH, the step after kisspeptin Triptorelin GnRH analogue HCG Acts like LH on the testes HMG Gonadotropins from urine Enclomiphene (Androxal) Other route: oestrogen receptor Clomid (Clomiphene) Other route: oestrogen receptor

FAQ

Common questions about Kisspeptin-10

Short answers, each backed by the sources below.

Is kisspeptin-10 approved?

No. ClinicalTrials.gov lists 9 phase 1 and 4 phase 2 trials with kisspeptin-10, most of them to study the hormone axis. Three small basic-science studies with 14 to 30 people are registered as phase 3. That is why ChEMBL lists phase 3, but they are not approval trials.1011

How does kisspeptin work?

Kisspeptins are the natural ligands of the receptor GPR54, now called KISS1R. It sits on the GnRH nerve cells in the hypothalamus. People with a non-functional receptor do not go through puberty, their hormone axis does not start. Kisspeptin is therefore the signal at the very start of the chain.789

What did the studies show in men?

One dose into a vein tripled LH within 30 minutes. The highest amount tested acted more weakly than the next lower one. An infusion over 22.5 hours raised testosterone by about 45 percent, a lower infusion made LH pulses more frequent. Men with type 2 diabetes and low testosterone also responded.14

Does it work the same in women?

No. In the early cycle phase LH did not rise at all in one study, shortly before ovulation it did. After menopause the response was strongest, on the combined pill it was largely absent. The body's own sex hormones clearly dampen or amplify the effect.23

What happens with longer dosing?

With 5 days of continuous infusion under the skin testosterone stayed raised, but LH and FSH fell back to control level. With 8 hours of dosing and a 16-hour break each day all three hormones stayed raised over 12 days. There are no longer data.6

Is kisspeptin-10 stronger than GnRH?

No. In a direct comparison in healthy men a GnRH infusion raised LH and FSH about three times as much as kisspeptin-10. Kisspeptin-10 and the longer kisspeptin-54 acted similarly. Researchers see the advantage of kisspeptin rather in a more natural stimulation of the axis.5

Glossary

Terms explained briefly

Dotted words in the text open these explanations directly.

Cycle phase
A section of the monthly cycle. The early phase starts with the period; shortly before ovulation the hormones rise sharply.
FSH
Follicle-stimulating hormone. Controls sperm production and egg maturation.
GnRH
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone from the hypothalamus. It stimulates the pituitary to release LH and FSH.
Hypogonadism
Too little sex hormone. If the cause lies in the brain or pituitary, it is called hypogonadotropic.
Hypothalamus
A control centre in the brain that steers many hormone axes via the pituitary.
KISS1R
The kisspeptin receptor, formerly called GPR54. It sits on GnRH nerve cells and starts the reproductive axis.
LH
Luteinising hormone. In men it stimulates the testes to make testosterone, in women an LH surge triggers ovulation.
LH pulses
LH is released in bursts rather than evenly. Their number per hour shows how active the GnRH cells are.
Lyophilisate
Freeze-dried powder. Without water a peptide keeps much longer.
Subcutaneous
Into the fat layer just under the skin.
Trial phases
Phase 1 tests tolerability in a few people, phase 2 effect and dose, phase 3 confirms benefit and safety in many. After that, approval can be requested.

Evidence

Sources

Show all 11 sourcesHide sources 9 Studies1 Trial registry1 Database checked 26 Oct 2026

Studies

  1. Kisspeptin-10 raises LH and pulse frequency in men

    George et al., Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2011

    DOI 10.1210/jc.2011-0089 PMID 21632807
    Checked 26 Oct 2026 via doi.org, Crossref, PubMed
  2. Kisspeptin-10 in men and women compared

    Jayasena et al., Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2011

    DOI 10.1210/jc.2011-1408 PMID 21976724
    Checked 26 Oct 2026 via doi.org, Crossref, PubMed
  3. Kisspeptin-10 in women by hormone status

    George et al., Human Reproduction, 2012

    DOI 10.1093/humrep/des326 PMID 22956346
    Checked 26 Oct 2026 via doi.org, Crossref, PubMed
  4. Kisspeptin-10 in type 2 diabetes with low testosterone

    George et al., Clinical Endocrinology, 2013

    DOI 10.1111/cen.12103 PMID 23153270
    Checked 26 Oct 2026 via doi.org, Crossref, PubMed
  5. Kisspeptin-10, kisspeptin-54 and GnRH compared directly

    Jayasena et al., Human Reproduction, 2015

    DOI 10.1093/humrep/dev143 PMID 26089302
    Checked 26 Oct 2026 via doi.org, Crossref, PubMed
  6. Kisspeptin-10 under the skin over 12 days in men

    Yeung et al., European Journal of Endocrinology, 2026

    DOI 10.1093/ejendo/lvag134 PMID 42549827
    Checked 26 Oct 2026 via doi.org, Crossref, PubMed
  7. Kisspeptins as the natural ligands of GPR54

    Kotani et al., Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2001

    DOI 10.1074/jbc.M104847200 PMID 11457843
    Checked 26 Oct 2026 via doi.org, Crossref, PubMed
  8. The GPR54 gene as a regulator of puberty

    Seminara et al., New England Journal of Medicine, 2003

    DOI 10.1056/NEJMoa035322 PMID 14573733
    Checked 26 Oct 2026 via doi.org, Crossref, PubMed
  9. Absent puberty with a non-functional GPR54

    de Roux et al., Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2003

    DOI 10.1073/pnas.1834399100 PMID 12944565
    Checked 26 Oct 2026 via doi.org, Crossref, PubMed

Trial registry

  1. Trials with kisspeptin-10 on ClinicalTrials.gov

    ClinicalTrials.gov, U.S. National Library of Medicine

    Checked 26 Oct 2026 via ClinicalTrials.gov API v2

Database

  1. Kisspeptin-10 in ChEMBL (metastin 45 to 54)

    ChEMBL, EMBL-EBI (CHEMBL376756)

    Checked 26 Oct 2026 via ChEMBL

In the shop

Kisspeptin-10 in the catalog

Sizes, prices and shipping times are on the product page.

To the product