Quantification of rat kisspeptin using a novel radioimmunoassay.

Kinsey-Jones JS, Beale KE, Cuenco J, Li XF, Bloom SR, O'Byrne KT, Murphy KG

PloS one20 May 2014Cited by 9 (Europe PMC)

PMID24845101PMCIDPMC4028310DOI10.1371/journal.pone.0097611PepBankPUB-24845101

Summary

Kisspeptin is a hypothalamic peptide hormone that plays a pivotal role in pubertal onset and reproductive function. Previous studies have examined hypothalamic kisspeptin mRNA expression, either through in situ hybridisation or real-time RT-PCR, as a means quantifying kisspeptin gene expression. However, mRNA expression levels are not always reflected in levels of the translated protein. Kisspeptin-immunoreactivity (IR) has been extensively examined using immunohistochemistry, enabling detection and localisation of kisspeptin perikaya in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) and anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV). However, quantification of kisspeptin-IR remains challenging. We developed a specific rodent radioimmunoassay assay (RIA) capable of detecting and quantifying kisspeptin-IR in rodent tissues. The RIA uses kisspeptin-10 as a standard and radioactive tracer, combined with a commercially available antibody raised to the kisspeptin-10 fragment. Adult female wistar rat brain samples were sectioned at 300 µm and the ARC and AVPV punch micro-dissected. Brain punches were homogenised in extraction buffer and assayed with rodent kisspeptin-RIA. In accord with the pattern of kisspeptin mRNA expression, kisspeptin-IR was detected in both the ARC (47.1±6.2 fmol/punch, mean±SEM n = 15) and AVPV (7.6±1.3 fmol/punch, mean±SEM n = 15). Kisspeptin-IR was also detectable in rat placenta (1.26±0.15 fmol/mg). Reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography analysis showed that hypothalamic kisspeptin-IR had the same elution profile as a synthetic rodent kisspeptin standard. A specific rodent kisspeptin-RIA will allow accurate quantification of kisspeptin peptide levels within specific tissues in rodent experimental models.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study4

No result from this study comes from a test of the peptide.

Natural levels measured3

These results measure the body's own peptide. Nobody was given the peptide. They are not evidence about taking it. They are left out of key results, evidence counts and charts.

01AnimalEndogenous levelAnimal study (in vivo)Other
In adult female Wistar rats, a new radioimmunoassay detected the body's own kisspeptin-immunoreactivity in the arcuate nucleus.
In plain wordsIn rats, a new test measured the body's own kisspeptin in a brain area called the arcuate nucleus.
Peptide
Kisspeptin-10
Outcome
Not applicableKisspeptin-immunoreactivity in arcuate nucleus
Study
ratn = 15
Adult female Wistar rat tissue
Outcome group
Endogenous peptide levels · Endocrine and hormones
Measurements
Kisspeptin-IR
47.1 fmol/punch
arcuate nucleus
Source sentences
Summary
In accord with the pattern of kisspeptin mRNA expression, kisspeptin-IR was detected in both the ARC (47.1±6.2 fmol/punch, mean±SEM n = 15) and AVPV (7.6±1.3 fmol/punch, mean±SEM n = 15).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Adult female wistar rat brain samples were sectioned at 300 µm and the ARC and AVPV punch micro-dissected.
This result measures the body's own Kisspeptin-10. Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2484510101
02AnimalEndogenous levelAnimal study (in vivo)Other
In adult female Wistar rats, a new radioimmunoassay detected the body's own kisspeptin-immunoreactivity in the anteroventral periventricular nucleus.
In plain wordsIn rats, a new test measured the body's own kisspeptin in a brain area called the anteroventral periventricular nucleus.
Peptide
Kisspeptin-10
Outcome
Not applicableKisspeptin-immunoreactivity in anteroventral periventricular nucleus
Study
ratn = 15
Adult female Wistar rat tissue
Outcome group
Endogenous peptide levels · Endocrine and hormones
Measurements
Kisspeptin-IR
7.6 fmol/punch
AVPV
Source sentences
Summary
In accord with the pattern of kisspeptin mRNA expression, kisspeptin-IR was detected in both the ARC (47.1±6.2 fmol/punch, mean±SEM n = 15) and AVPV (7.6±1.3 fmol/punch, mean±SEM n = 15).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Adult female wistar rat brain samples were sectioned at 300 µm and the ARC and AVPV punch micro-dissected.
This result measures the body's own Kisspeptin-10. Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2484510102
03AnimalEndogenous levelAnimal study (in vivo)Other
A new radioimmunoassay detected the body's own kisspeptin-immunoreactivity in rat placenta.
In plain wordsIn rats, a new test measured the body's own kisspeptin in the placenta.
Peptide
Kisspeptin-10
Outcome
Not applicableKisspeptin-immunoreactivity in placenta
Study
ratn: not reported in source
Adult female Wistar rat tissue
Outcome group
Endogenous peptide levels · Reproductive and sexual health
Measurements
Kisspeptin-IR
1.26 fmol/mg
rat placenta
Source sentences
Summary
Kisspeptin-IR was also detectable in rat placenta (1.26±0.15 fmol/mg).
This result measures the body's own Kisspeptin-10. Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2484510103

Studies that did not test the peptide alone1

In this study, Kisspeptin-10 was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking Kisspeptin-10.

04AnimalNot a test of Kisspeptin-10 aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In rat hypothalamus, kisspeptin-immunoreactivity had the same HPLC elution profile as a synthetic rodent kisspeptin standard.
In plain wordsIn rats, the kisspeptin found in the brain behaved like a synthetic kisspeptin standard in a lab separation test.
Peptide
Kisspeptin-10
Outcome
Not applicableHPLC elution profile of hypothalamic kisspeptin-immunoreactivity
Study
ratn: not reported in source
Adult female Wistar rat tissue
Outcome group
Receptor activity and mechanism · Endocrine and hormones
Source sentences
Summary
Reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography analysis showed that hypothalamic kisspeptin-IR had the same elution profile as a synthetic rodent kisspeptin standard.
In this study, Kisspeptin-10 was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Kisspeptin-10.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2484510104

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

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
10 Oct 2026, 09:43 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 03:04 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

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