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Study · Measured the body's own peptide · 2026

6 results

Analysis and Characterization of Kisspeptin and Its Analogues in Serum and Urine Samples by Liquid Chromatography-High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry for Doping Control Purposes.

Krombholz S, Korsmeier L, Thomas A, Thevis M

Drug testing and analysis29 Apr 2026

PMID42057309 (opens in a new tab)PMCIDPMC13327143 (opens in a new tab)DOI10.1002/dta.70081 (opens in a new tab)PepBankPUB-42057309
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Summary

The use of testosterone-stimulating peptides for doping purposes is prohibited for male athletes by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Among these substances is kisspeptin (KP-54), its isoforms (KP-14, KP-13, and KP-10), and synthetic receptor agonists such as TAK-448. Thus, they have been included in the WADA Prohibited List in 2024. To enable effective detection of kisspeptin misuse, reliable analytical methods are required. Consequently, this study aimed to develop liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry-based (LC-MS) methods for the detection of kisspeptin and its analogues in human serum and urine. In addition, peptide stability in different biological matrices was investigated, and metabolic stability was characterized in vitro. Extraction methods based on cation-exchange solid-phase extraction were optimized, enabling a selective and sensitive LC-MS analysis with limits of identification (LOI) ranging from 0.8 ng/mL (KP-54) to 10 pg/mL (TAK-448). Analysis of a reference population comprising n = 20 serum samples and n = 100 urine samples revealed no detectable signals of endogenous kisspeptins and/or its degradation products. All native kisspeptins investigated showed poor stability in urine and blood; however, several degradation products could be identified. These metabolites could serve as complementary target analytes and improve the detectability of kisspeptins in doping control samples. Overall, the study provides an important foundation for the confirmatory analysis of kisspeptins in doping controls and delivers in vitro insights into their metabolic behavior. Analysis of samples collected after administration of the peptides remains necessary to further assess the detectability and metabolic profiles in authentic samples.
CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study6

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

Natural levels measured2

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.

  1. 01HumanEndogenous levelObservational studyOther

    In a reference population of 20 serum and 100 urine samples, no signals of endogenous kisspeptins or their degradation products were detected.

    In plain wordsIn human serum and urine from a reference group, the body's own kisspeptins were not detectable.

    Peptide
    Kisspeptin-10
    Outcome
    No significant changeEndogenous kisspeptins in reference samples
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Reference population serum and urine samples
    Outcome group
    Analytical methods and detection · Pharmacology

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Analysis of a reference population comprising n = 20 serum samples and n = 100 urine samples revealed no detectable signals of endogenous kisspeptins and/or its degradation products.

    This result measures the body's own Kisspeptin-10. Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.

  2. 02HumanEndogenous levelObservational studyOther

    In a reference population of 20 serum and 100 urine samples, LC-MS detected no endogenous kisspeptins or degradation products.

    In plain wordsIn 20 serum and 100 urine samples from a reference group, the body's own kisspeptins were not detectable.

    Peptide
    Kisspeptin-54 (metastin)
    Outcome
    No significant changeEndogenous kisspeptins in reference serum and urine
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Outcome group
    Endogenous peptide levels · Endocrine and hormones

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Analysis of a reference population comprising n = 20 serum samples and n = 100 urine samples revealed no detectable signals of endogenous kisspeptins and/or its degradation products.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Consequently, this study aimed to develop liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry-based (LC-MS) methods for the detection of kisspeptin and its analogues in human serum and urine.

    This result measures the body's own Kisspeptin-54 (metastin). Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.

Studies that did not test the peptide alone4

In this study, the peptide 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 the peptide.

  1. 03LabNot a test of Kisspeptin-10 aloneEx vivo tissuePharmacokinetics

    All native kisspeptins investigated showed poor stability in urine and blood, and several degradation products were identified.

    In plain wordsIn lab tests, natural kisspeptins broke down quickly in urine and blood.

    Peptide
    Kisspeptin-10
    Outcome
    Not applicableStability of native kisspeptins in urine and blood
    Study

    humann: not reported in source

    Urine and blood matrices
    Outcome group
    Pharmacokinetics · Pharmacology

    Source sentences

    Summary
    All native kisspeptins investigated showed poor stability in urine and blood; however, several degradation products could be identified.

    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.

  2. 04LabNot a test of Kisspeptin-54 (metastin) aloneEx vivo tissuePharmacokinetics

    All native kisspeptins tested, a group that includes kisspeptin‑54, were poorly stable in urine and blood, and several degradation products were identified.

    In plain wordsIn lab tests, natural kisspeptins broke down quickly in urine and blood.

    Peptide
    Kisspeptin-54 (metastin)
    Outcome
    Not applicableStability of native kisspeptins in urine and blood
    Study

    humann: not reported in source

    urine and blood
    Outcome group
    Pharmacokinetics · Pharmacology

    Source sentences

    Summary
    All native kisspeptins investigated showed poor stability in urine and blood; however, several degradation products could be identified.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Consequently, this study aimed to develop liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry-based (LC-MS) methods for the detection of kisspeptin and its analogues in human serum and urine.

    In this study, Kisspeptin-54 (metastin) 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-54 (metastin).

  3. 05LabNot a test of Kisspeptin-54 (metastin) aloneIn vitro (cell-free)Other

    An LC-MS method identified kisspeptin‑54 in human serum and urine at a limit of identification of 0.8 ng/mL.

    In plain wordsIn lab tests, a new method detected kisspeptin‑54 in serum and urine down to 0.8 ng/mL.

    Peptide
    Kisspeptin-54 (metastin)
    Outcome
    Not applicableLC-MS limit of identification for kisspeptin-54
    Study

    humann: not reported in source

    serum and urine
    Outcome group
    Analytical methods and detection · Pharmacology

    Measurements

    Limit of identification
    0.8 ng/mL
    KP-54

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Extraction methods based on cation-exchange solid-phase extraction were optimized, enabling a selective and sensitive LC-MS analysis with limits of identification (LOI) ranging from 0.8 ng/mL (KP-54) to 10 pg/mL (TAK-448).
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Consequently, this study aimed to develop liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry-based (LC-MS) methods for the detection of kisspeptin and its analogues in human serum and urine.

    In this study, Kisspeptin-54 (metastin) 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-54 (metastin).

  4. 06LabNot a test of Kisspeptin-10 aloneOther designOther

    An optimized LC-MS method detected kisspeptins in human serum and urine with limits of identification from 0.8 ng/mL (KP-54) to 10 pg/mL (TAK-448).

    In plain wordsA lab test method found kisspeptin peptides in human serum and urine at very low amounts.

    Peptide
    Kisspeptin-10
    Outcome
    Not applicableLC-MS limits of identification for kisspeptins
    Study

    humann: not reported in source

    LC-MS in human serum and urine
    Outcome group
    Analytical methods and detection · Pharmacology

    Measurements

    Limit of identification
    0.8 ng/mL
    KP-54
    Limit of identification
    10 pg/mL
    TAK-448

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Extraction methods based on cation-exchange solid-phase extraction were optimized, enabling a selective and sensitive LC-MS analysis with limits of identification (LOI) ranging from 0.8 ng/mL (KP-54) to 10 pg/mL (TAK-448).
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Consequently, this study aimed to develop liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry-based (LC-MS) methods for the detection of kisspeptin and its analogues in human serum and urine.

    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.

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.

  1. Versions 4 to 18Current

    28 Oct 2026, 02:02 UTC

    The same notice was added 15 times, first on 13 Oct 2026, 21:44 UTC. The status did not change between them.

    Study results updated

  2. Version 3

    13 Oct 2026, 16:31 UTC

    Study data updated · source update from Europe PMC

  3. Version 2

    10 Oct 2026, 09:43 UTC

    Study results updated

  4. Version 1

    9 Oct 2026, 03:04 UTC

    First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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