Peptides / Sexual health and hormones

Natural fragment · 10 amino acids · 1,302.4 Da

Kisspeptin-10

Not approvedBanned in sport

Kisspeptin-10 is a short piece of the hormone kisspeptin that activates its receptor, KISS1R, and it is used in research but not approved. Most studies are in animals and cells, and studies in people measured sex hormones. PepBank shows 76 results on kisspeptin-10 from 16 studies in people, and 1,371 from animal and lab studies. The strongest evidence is a randomized trial in people. Data as of 2026-10-30.

Also known as KP-10, KP10, YNWNSFGLRF-NH2, NSC 741805, Human metastin 45-54, Kisspeptin 112-121 and 2 more

10 amino acids, from first to lastYNWNSFGLRF

Evidence level: Mostly animal studies1,371 of 1,457 results come from studies in animals and lab cells. 16 studies in people.

Results in people

76

5% of 1,457 results

Results in animals

821

56% of 1,457 results

Results in lab cells

550

38% of 1,457 results

From computer models

10

under 1% of 1,457 results

Overview

Kisspeptin-10 at a glance

What it is	Natural fragment, 10 amino acids
Approval	Not approved for any use
In sport	Banned in sport (WADA S2.2.1)
Studies	348 studies with results. 273 of them gave kisspeptin-10, with 1,457 results. 76 in people821 in animals550 in lab cells10 from computer models
Best study in people	Randomized controlled trial with 8 people (2020)
Clinical trials	17 registered: 3 active or planned, 3 with posted results
Community use	Libido and sexual desire, often in men on testosterone therapy; Stimulating the body's own LH, FSH and testosterone (hormone axis support); Keeping fertility during testosterone therapy, as an alternative to gonadorelin or hCG

The science

What is kisspeptin-10?

C-terminal decapeptide of human kisspeptin (KISS1 112-121) that activates the kisspeptin receptor KISS1R. Used in research; not an approved medicine.

10

Amino acids in one chain

The history of kisspeptin-10

2001
The oldest paper on kisspeptin-10 in PepBank is from 2001.
2009June
A registered trial of kisspeptin-10 started (NCT00914823).

Kisspeptin-10 structure and chemistry

The key facts about the molecule. Long codes are in the closed section below.

Sequence, 10 amino acidsFrom the first amino acid to the last

Y1NWNS5FGL+RF10

Darker means more water-repelling+ and − show charge in the bodyOutlined: changed amino acid

Structure

Kisspeptin-10 is a natural fragment of 10 amino acids, with no ring, 1 changed amino acid.

Formula

C₆₃H₈₃N₁₇O₁₄

Molecular weight

1,302.4 g/mol

CAS number

374675-21-5

Target

KiSS-1 receptor (gene KISS1R): agonistEvidence: primary literature

Development

Highest phase: phase 2.

Identifiers

PubChem 25240297, ChEMBL CHEMBL376756, UNII FS1N52VS3S, UniProt Q15726, PDB 8ZJD

Full sequence, SMILES and InChIKey

Three-letter sequence
H-Tyr-Asn-Trp-Asn-Ser-Phe-Gly-Leu-Arg-Phe-NH2

InChIKey
RITKWYDZSSQNJI-INXYWQKQSA-N

SMILES
CC(C)C[C@@H](C(=O)N[C@@H](CCCN=C(N)N)C(=O)N[C@@H](CC1=CC=CC=C1)C(=O)N)NC(=O)CNC(=O)[C@H](CC2=CC=CC=C2)NC(=O)[C@H](CO)NC(=O)[C@H](CC(=O)N)NC(=O)[C@H](CC3=CNC4=CC=CC=C43)NC(=O)[C@H](CC(=O)N)NC(=O)[C@H](CC5=CC=C(C=C5)O)N

See charge, composition and 3D structure on the Scientific page

The evidence

What kisspeptin-10 studies show

Results grouped by what the studies measured. Each card shows where its results come from.

Mostly animal studies1,371 of 1,457 results come from studies in animals and lab cells. 16 studies in people.

Sex hormones and fertility

633 results · 71 in people · 436 animal · 126 lab

In healthy men, a short kisspeptin‑10 infusion under the skin raised LH levels in a dose-dependent way compared with vehicle. European journal of endocrinology, 2026

Top results

In healthy men, a short kisspeptin‑10 infusion under the skin raised LH levels in a dose-dependent way compared with vehicle. (European journal of endocrinology, 2026)
In women with PCOS who took an NK3 blocker, kisspeptin‑10 still raised luteinizing hormone compared with vehicle. (Human reproduction, 2020)
In pregnant rats with an underactive thyroid, daily kisspeptin‑10 improved fetal weight. (Frontiers in endocrinology, 2022)

Hormones

45 results · 4 in people · 35 animal · 6 lab

In healthy adults, kisspeptin given into a vein did not change levels of the hormone vasopressin. Journal of neuroendocrinology, 2026

Top results

In healthy adults, kisspeptin given into a vein did not change levels of the hormone vasopressin. (Journal of neuroendocrinology, 2026)
In normal weight men, blood irisin was higher 210 minutes after kisspeptin‑10 than before it. (Acta endocrinologica, 2019)
In male rabbits, kisspeptin‑10 raised zinc in the testes at 24 hours. (Biological trace element research, 2013)

Cells, genes and aging

114 results · 73 animal · 41 lab

In rats given methotrexate, kisspeptin‑10 lowered a marker of oxidative damage compared with methotrexate alone. Andrologia, 2018

Top results

In rats given methotrexate, kisspeptin‑10 lowered a marker of oxidative damage compared with methotrexate alone. (Andrologia, 2018)
In female quails, the high kisspeptin‑10 dose raised liver SREBP-1 gene activity, the low dose did not. (Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences, 2013)
In obese rats, Kisspeptin‑10 did not clearly restore sperm mitochondrial function; the trend was not significant. (Reproductive sciences, 2026)

Weight and appetite

49 results · 37 animal · 12 lab

In mice, kisspeptin‑10 injected into the abdomen reduced food intake compared with vehicle. Digestive diseases and sciences, 2020

Top results

In mice, kisspeptin‑10 injected into the abdomen reduced food intake compared with vehicle. (Digestive diseases and sciences, 2020)
In rats, kisspeptin‑10 injected into the brain activated more nesfatin-1 neurons in the supraoptic nucleus. (Peptides, 2019)
In rats, kisspeptin changed the pattern of weight loss in a model of anorexia. (NMR in biomedicine, 2020)

Brain and nerves

41 results · 31 animal · 10 lab

In rats with brain injury caused by methionine, kisspeptin treatment reversed the increase in cell death. Journal of biochemical and molecular toxicology, 2014

Top results

In rats with brain injury caused by methionine, kisspeptin treatment reversed the increase in cell death. (Journal of biochemical and molecular toxicology, 2014)
In female rats, kisspeptin‑10 given into a vein made oxytocin-producing brain cells fire faster. (Endocrinology, 2011)
In male mice, kisspeptin‑10 given into the brain made them move less. (Journal of neuroendocrinology, 2024)

Immune system and inflammation

42 results · 28 animal · 14 lab

In mice prone to artery plaques, KP-10 infusion increased immune cell build-up in plaques. Journal of the American Heart Association, 2017

Top results

In mice prone to artery plaques, KP-10 infusion increased immune cell build-up in plaques. (Journal of the American Heart Association, 2017)
In the study animals, giving kisspeptin‑10 weakened T cell function. (Advanced science, 2022)
In mice with cerebral aneurysms, KP-10 lowered the tissue-damaging enzyme MMP-9. (CNS neuroscience & therapeutics, 2025)

All 348 kisspeptin-10 studies by area Open the Scientific page

Key kisspeptin-10 studies

Studies in people come first, then studies in animals and in the lab.

People
Kisspeptin and neurokinin B interactions in modulating gonadotropin secretion in women with polycystic ovary syndrome
Skorupskaite et al. 2020 · Human reproduction (Oxford, England) · 8 people · cited by 47
6 results
People
Chronic subcutaneous kisspeptin-10 stimulates gonadotropin secretion for 12 days in healthy men
Yeung et al. 2026 · European journal of endocrinology · 7 people · cited by 0
7 results
People
Interactions Between Neurokinin B and Kisspeptin in Mediating Estrogen Feedback in Healthy Women
Skorupskaite et al. 2016 · The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism · cited by 33
2 results
People
Kisspeptin-10 stimulation of gonadotrophin secretion in women is modulated by sex steroid feedback
George et al. 2012 · Human reproduction (Oxford, England) · 24 people · cited by 42
8 results
People
Kisspeptin administration to women: a window into endogenous kisspeptin secretion and GnRH responsiveness across the menstrual cycle
Chan et al. 2012 · The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism · 17 people · cited by 62
4 results

All 348 Kisspeptin-10 studies

Kisspeptin-10 clinical trials

ClinicalTrials.gov lists 17 trials of kisspeptin-10. 3 are active or planned, and 3 have posted results. PepBank does not show trial results.

Solid bars are dates that happened. Hatched bars are planned dates. Data from ClinicalTrials.gov.

Link Between the Sensitivity of Kisspeptin Signalling and Pubertal Onset in Boys.

Phase 3completed30 people

Age-dependent Changes in the Responsiveness of Hypothalamic Pituitary Gonadal Axis in Men

Phase 3completed15 people

KP-10 and Insulin Secretion in Men

Phase 3completed14 people

All 8 Kisspeptin-10 trials

Status and safety

Is kisspeptin-10 approved?

FDA

United States

Not approved

No approved medicine contains it.

EMA

European Union

Not approved

No approved medicine contains it.

WADA

Sport

Banned

On the 2026 Prohibited List, section S2.2.1.

No. Not approved for any use. Its most advanced trial is in phase 2. The FDA, the EMA and the other sources we use show no approval (as of 9 Oct 2026). Banned in sport (WADA S2.2.1).

Laws and labels change, so check the regulator for the current status.

Kisspeptin-10 side effects and safety

PepBank has 31 safety results from studies of kisspeptin-10. None of them come from studies in people, so they do not show what happens in people.

Safety results from studies (31)

In ewes, the pituitary showed no sign of reduced response at either Kp10 dose. (Journal of neuroendocrinology, 2013)
In young male rats, kisspeptin‑10 damaged the sperm-forming tubes of the testes. (Life sciences, 2011)
In rats, kisspeptin given alone did not cause more cell death. (Journal of biochemical and molecular toxicology, 2014)
In rats given kisspeptin‑10 in the brain, blood pressure did not change significantly. (Endocrine research, 2010)
In rats given kisspeptin‑10 in the brain, blood pressure did not change. (Acta pharmacologica Sinica, 2010)
In young rats, the lowest kisspeptin‑10 dose was followed by DNA damage in the seminal vesicle. (Reproductive biology and endocrinology, 2012)
In young male rats, kisspeptin‑10 was linked to larger fluid spaces in the brain. (Frontiers in endocrinology, 2023)
In young male rats, the highest kisspeptin dose lowered prostate weight compared with control. (The Prostate, 2013)
In dogs, daily kisspeptin‑10 for 14 days caused no clear signs of toxicity in the safety checks that were done. (International journal of toxicology, 2021)
In rats, giving Kp10 to hypothyroid mothers raised a marker of oxidative stress in the fetal hearts. (Cardiovascular toxicology, 2026)
In young male rats, kisspeptin‑10 damaged the structure of testosterone-making testis cells compared with control. (Protein and peptide letters, 2022)
In young male rats, kisspeptin‑10 changed the fine structure of the testes and disrupted sperm-forming cells. (Life sciences, 2011)
In rats given kisspeptin‑10 in the brain, heart rate did not change significantly. (Endocrine research, 2010)
In rats given kisspeptin‑10 in the brain, heart rate did not change. (Acta pharmacologica Sinica, 2010)
In young rats, the middle kisspeptin‑10 dose was followed by more DNA damage in the seminal vesicle than the lowest dose. (Reproductive biology and endocrinology, 2012)
In young rats, the highest kisspeptin‑10 dose was followed by the most DNA damage in the seminal vesicle. (Reproductive biology and endocrinology, 2012)
In young male rats, kisspeptin lowered the height of prostate gland lining cells at all three doses compared with control. (The Prostate, 2013)
In young male rats, kisspeptin treatment was followed by changes in prostate cell structure. (The Prostate, 2013)
In young male rats, kisspeptin at the lowest dose was linked to 20.74 percent DNA damage in prostate tissue. (The Prostate, 2013)
In young male rats, kisspeptin at the middle dose was linked to 43.60 percent DNA damage in prostate tissue. (The Prostate, 2013)
In young male rats, kisspeptin at the highest dose was linked to 58.18 percent DNA damage in prostate tissue. (The Prostate, 2013)
In dogs, vaginal tests showed that all dogs stayed in anestrus during kisspeptin‑10 dosing. (International journal of toxicology, 2021)
In dogs, no kisspeptin‑10-related findings were seen after the recovery period. (International journal of toxicology, 2021)
In dogs, the highest dose tested of kisspeptin‑10 caused no observed harmful effects over 14 days. (International journal of toxicology, 2021)

See every safety result on the Scientific page

Doses studied (40 shown)

The doses that these studies used. They are not recommendations.

Dose as reported	Class	Species	Route	Duration	Design	Source
4 µg/kg/h	Human	human	intravenous	7 h	Randomized trial in people · n = 8	Skorupskaite 2020
1.25-10.0 nmol/kg/h	Human	human	subcutaneous	8 h	Randomized trial in people · n = 7	Yeung 2026
150 nmol/h	Human	human	subcutaneous	12 days	Randomized trial in people · n = 7	Yeung 2026
1 nmol/kg bolus	Human	human	Not reported	Not reported	Randomized trial in people · n = 7	Yeung 2026
180 nmol/h	Human	human	subcutaneous	5 days	Randomized trial in people · n = 4	Yeung 2026
4 μg/kg/h	Human	human	intravenous infusion	7 hours	Randomized trial in people	Skorupskaite 2016
0.3 µg/kg	Human	human	intravenous	Not reported	Trial in people without random groups · n = 24	George 2012
0.24 nmol/kg	Human	human	intravenous	single bolus	Trial in people without random groups · n = 17	Chan 2012
0.3 mcg/kg bolus	Human	human	intravenous	Not reported	Trial in people without random groups · n = 12	George 2013
0.24 nmol/kg	Human	human	intravenous	bolus	Trial in people without random groups · n = 12	Galbiati 2026
1 μg/kg	Human	human	intravenous	Not reported	Trial in people without random groups · n = 6	George 2011
0.1, 0.3 and 1.0 nmol/kg/h	Human	human	intravenous	3 h infusion	Trial in people without random groups · n = 5	Jayasena 2015
4 μg/kg/h	Human	human	intravenous	22.5 h	Trial in people without random groups · n = 4	George 2011
1.5 μg/kg/h	Human	human	intravenous	Not reported	Trial in people without random groups · n = 4	George 2011
4 mcg/kg/h	Human	human	intravenous	11 h	Trial in people without random groups · n = 4	George 2013
12.5 mcg/kg/h	Human	human	intravenous	24 h	Trial in people without random groups · n = 3	Naveed 2026
3 μg/kg	Human	human	intravenous	Not reported	Trial in people without random groups	George 2011
as low as 0.3 nmol/kg	Human	human	intravenous bolus	Not reported	Trial in people without random groups	Jayasena 2011
as low as 1.0 nmol/kg	Human	human	intravenous bolus	Not reported	Trial in people without random groups	Jayasena 2011
up to 10 nmol/kg	Human	human	intravenous bolus	Not reported	Trial in people without random groups	Jayasena 2011
up to 32 nmol/kg	Human	human	subcutaneous bolus	Not reported	Trial in people without random groups	Jayasena 2011
up to 720 pmol/kg/min	Human	human	intravenous infusion	Not reported	Trial in people without random groups	Jayasena 2011
10 nmol/kg	Human	human	intravenous bolus	Not reported	Trial in people without random groups	Jayasena 2011
0.24 and 0.72 nmol/kg	Human	human	intravenous	single bolus	Trial in people without random groups	Chan 2012
1 µg/kg BW	Human	human	intravenous	single bolus	Trial in people without random groups	Ullah 2019
1.5 μg/kg/h	Human	human	intravenous	12 hours	Reports of single patients · n = 2	Millar 2017
0.5 or 1 mg	Animal	pig	Not reported	Not reported	Study in live animals · n = 198	Qin 2022
100 nmol	Animal	quail	intraperitoneal	3 weeks	Study in live animals · n = 75	Wu 2013
10 nmol and 100 nmol	Animal	quail	intraperitoneal	3 weeks	Study in live animals · n = 75	Wu 2013
5-40 μg/g	Animal	mouse	Not reported	Not reported	Study in live animals · n = 75	Suocheng 2026
10 μg/g	Animal	mouse	Not reported	Not reported	Study in live animals · n = 75	Suocheng 2026
2.5, 5.0 and 10 μg/kg body weight	Animal	Bos taurus (Holstein) and Bos indicus (Gyr) prepubertal heifers	intramuscular	Not reported	Study in live animals · n = 48	Macedo 2019
2 nmol in 200 µl saline (10 µM)	Animal	mouse	intraperitoneal	Not reported	Study in live animals · n = 32	Dong 2020
1 mg	Animal	horse	intravenous	Not reported	Study in live animals · n = 30	Bailey 2022
45 mg divided into multiple doses	Animal	cattle	intravenous	2 hours	Study in live animals · n = 24	Leonardi 2020
50 nmol/kg	Animal	rat	intraperitoneal	10 days	Study in live animals · n = 20	Güvenç 2018
45 mg	Animal	cattle	intravenous	single dose	Study in live animals · n = 20	Leonardi 2020
50 μg/hour	Animal	horse	osmotic minipump	Not reported	Study in live animals · n = 18	Bailey 2022
50 mg/hour	Animal	horse	subcutaneous	7 days	Study in live animals · n = 18	Bailey 2020
1 mg	Animal	cattle	intravenous	Not reported	Study in live animals · n = 15	Leonardi 2018

From the community

How people use it

What people report online. It comes from forums and guides, not from studies.

Community-reported. Not tested in trials.

Community sources report that some men, often on testosterone therapy, inject kisspeptin-10 under the skin for libido and to support their own hormone axis. Reported amounts are about 100 to 200 mcg per injection, and sources disagree on how often it is used. Sources say kisspeptin is not approved for compounding. Two wiki pages write about kisspeptin in general and do not name the form.

Reported routines and cautions

What people use it for

Libido and sexual desire, often in men on testosterone therapyS1S3
Stimulating the body's own LH, FSH and testosterone (hormone axis support)S1S2S3
Keeping fertility during testosterone therapy, as an alternative to gonadorelin or hCGS1S3

Reported regimens

Regimens that community sources report for Kisspeptin-10. Community-reported, not tested in trials.
Context	Route	Amount	How often	How long	Agreement	Sources
Hormone axis support, spaced doses (S1 and S2 write about 'kisspeptin' in general)	subcutaneous injection	100 to 200 mcg per dose	1 to 3 times weekly (S1); 2 to 3 times weekly (S2); 3 times a week or every other day called the more conservative option (S3)	4 to 8 weeks (S1); 2 to 4 weeks (S2)	sources differ: amount is 100 to 200 mcg in S1 and S2; frequency is 1 to 3 times weekly in S1 and 2 to 3 times weekly in S2, and S3 calls 3 times a week or every other day the more conservative option; length is 4 to 8 weeks in S1 and 2 to 4 weeks in S2. S1 and S3 carry seller links, and the wiki and the database may copy each other.	S1S2S3
Daily low dose, reported by men on testosterone therapy (S1 writes about 'kisspeptin' in general; S3 and S4 name kisspeptin-10)	subcutaneous injection	100 mcg per dose	once daily	4 to 8 weeks (S1); one member reported a month (S4)	not independent: S3 and S4 appear to quote the same forum member (100 mcg daily for a month, then 100 mcg twice daily), and S1 is a wiki. S1, S3 and S4 all carry seller links. S2 and S3 advise against daily use.	S1S3S4

Reported side effects

minimal acute side effects, possible mild cardiovascular effectsS2

Reported benefits (claims, not shown in trials)

better libido (reported by some users)S1
higher total testosterone after a month on 100 mcg per day (one member's report, taken together with other peptides)S4

Cautions

Most self-reports involve several peptides at once, so the effect of kisspeptin alone cannot be told apart.S3S4
Daily use may cause receptor desensitization, which would lower rather than raise LH. This is a concern in the sources, not a shown result for kisspeptin-10 in men. S3 bases it on daily kisspeptin-54 infusion in women.S2S3
A wiki lists severe headache, visual disturbance, chest pain and persistent injection-site reactions as reasons to stop, and says kisspeptin is not recommended in pregnancy or breast-feeding.S2
The human studies used supervised injections or infusions of kisspeptin-10 or kisspeptin-54. A wiki and a forum guide say the effects of repeated use are less well characterized.S1S3

Status notes

A TRT forum guide dated June 2026 says kisspeptin is not legally compoundable in the US because it is not on the FDA bulk substance list. A wiki says it is not approved as a compounded medication in most jurisdictions. Kisspeptin was not among the peptides the FDA advisory committee reviewed in July 2026.S1S3S5

Community sources

S1Kisspeptin: Community Protocols & Reportspeptideprotocolwiki.comcarries seller links, not linked
S2Kisspeptin (KP-10) (opens in a new tab)peptide-db.com
S3Kisspeptin Peptide Practical Guideexcelmale.comcarries seller links, not linked
S4Kisspeptin Dosage (forum thread)excelmale.comcarries seller links, not linked
S5FDA panel backs 6 peptides for compounding (opens in a new tab)ajmc.com

Gaps

The community wiki (S1) and database (S2) cover 'kisspeptin' in general and may mix kisspeptin-10 and kisspeptin-54. The only first-hand reports are two forum pages from one site (S3, S4), and they appear to quote the same member; S4 is a short thread from 2023. S1, S3 and S4 carry seller links or seller ads. No harm-reduction or regulator page for self-use was found. Three pages were seller pages and were not used. Nasal use is only mentioned as under study. Reddit was not used.

Questions and more

Ask a question about kisspeptin-10

The answer links to every study it uses.

What does the evidence say about kisspeptin-10?Is kisspeptin-10 tested in people?Compare with Oxytocin Compare with Melanotan II

Sources

Database: PepBank data for kisspeptin-10 (data version 308560)
Regulator: FDA status record
Regulator: EMA status record
Regulator: WADA status record
Trial registry: ClinicalTrials.gov
Community: community sources (forums and guides), as summarized in the PepBank community file

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

PepBank is a research reference. Talk to a doctor before you use any peptide.

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