Overview
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In plain language
Kisspeptin-10 is a short, natural peptide of 10 amino acids. It is the active end of kisspeptin, a hormone that acts like a master switch for puberty and fertility.
Kisspeptin tells the brain to release GnRH, which starts the chain of hormones that control the reproductive system. People born without working kisspeptin signaling do not go through puberty normally. Researchers are studying kisspeptin for fertility treatments, but it is not FDA-approved.
For students
Kisspeptins are encoded by KISS1, first described in 1996 as a metastasis-suppressor gene in melanoma (hence the alternate name metastin). Kisspeptin-54 is processed into shorter forms; kisspeptin-10 (YNWNSFGLRF-NH2, about 1,302 Da) is the C-terminal decapeptide that retains full receptor activity.
In 2003, two groups found that loss-of-function mutations in the kisspeptin receptor (KISS1R, formerly GPR54) cause hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, revealing its role in puberty. Kisspeptin acts on GnRH neurons in the hypothalamus.
For researchers and instructors
Human evidence. Infusion studies show kisspeptin stimulates LH release in men and women. Kisspeptin-54 has been studied as a trigger of oocyte maturation in IVF, with the aim of reducing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
Pharmacology. Continuous exposure desensitizes the axis, a property being explored for suppression. Kisspeptin-10 has a very short half-life.
Status. Not FDA-approved; graded Early human.
Molecular identity
- Amino acids
- 10
- Molecular weight
- ~1,302.4 Da
- Formula
- C₆₃H₈₃N₁₇O₁₄
- Sequence
- YNWNSFGLRF-NH₂
Sequence map
Hydropathy
Kyte–Doolittle score per residue. Positive values are water-repelling.
Origin and history
In 1996 Danny Welch’s lab at Penn State in Hershey, Pennsylvania, found a gene that stopped melanoma from spreading. They named it KiSS-1, after the town’s famous Hershey’s Kisses chocolates, with “SS” for “suppressor sequence.”
In 2003, two teams, one led by Nicolas de Roux in France and one by Stephanie Seminara in Boston, found that people with mutations in the kisspeptin receptor never went through puberty. Kisspeptin turned out to be the master switch for the reproductive hormone system. Kisspeptin-10 is its shortest fully active fragment, and Waljit Dhillo’s group in London began human studies in 2005.
Key people
- Danny WelchDiscovered the KiSS-1 gene
- Stephanie SeminaraLinked it to puberty (2003)
- Waljit DhilloPioneered human kisspeptin studies
Timeline
- 1996
KiSS-1 discovered as a melanoma metastasis suppressor
- 2001
Kisspeptin peptides identified
- 2003
Receptor mutations shown to block puberty
- 2005
First human studies
See every peptide on one history timeline.
Human evidence
Small human studies have used kisspeptin to stimulate reproductive hormones and, in IVF research, to trigger egg maturation.
Registration and enrollment are not proof of benefit; check study results directly.
Explore original publications and distinguish preclinical findings from controlled human evidence.
Safety and regulatory status
See every compound on the regulatory tracker.
Not FDA-approved.
This profile is educational and does not provide treatment, dosing or sourcing guidance.
Sources
- PubMed literature search: Kisspeptin-10
- PubChem compound search: Kisspeptin-10
- Seminara et al. 2003, NEJM
- ClinicalTrials.gov search: Kisspeptin-10
Hernandez Gener, E. (2026, November 7). Kisspeptin-10: molecular data, research history and evidence. VALREXA Biosciences. https://valrexa.com/peptides/kisspeptin-10.html
APA style · Last reviewed November 7, 2026 · Our editorial standardsLast reviewed November 7, 2026. Trial and regulatory status can change; confirm in the linked registries. This profile is educational and is not medical advice, a treatment recommendation, or dosing or sourcing guidance. Report an error · Corrections policy