Bottom line
Kisspeptin-10 (KP-10) is a 10-amino-acid C-terminal fragment of the KISS1 gene product (kisspeptin). It is an endogenous agonist of the kisspeptin receptor (KISS1R, GPR54), a key regulator of GnRH secretion and reproductive function. KP-10 is investigational only — no FDA- or EMA-approved product was identified — with ongoing phase 1/2 trials exploring its use in hypothalamic amenorrhea, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, and as a diagnostic tool for GnRH neuronal function.
Identity and composition
| Field | Verified information |
|---|---|
| Preferred name | Kisspeptin-10 |
| Key aliases | KP-10; metastin (45-54); KISS1 (112-121); kisspeptin decapeptide |
| Molecular/sequence identity | Y-N-W-N-S-F-G-L-R-F-NH2 (Tyr-Asn-Trp-Asn-Ser-Phe-Gly-Leu-Arg-Phe-NH2) |
| Modifications/form | C-terminal amidation (essential for activity); minimal bioactive kisspeptin fragment |
| Stable identifiers | PubChem CID 25240297; UniProt Q8NG95 (KISS1 precursor) |
| Identity caveats | Longer kisspeptins (KP-54, KP-14, KP-13) share the same C-terminal 10-mer; KP-10 is the shortest fully active fragment. Not to be confused with kisspeptin-54, which has a longer plasma half-life |
Development and approval status
| Jurisdiction | Status and indication | Product/source | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| No jurisdiction | Investigational; phase 1/2 clinical trials only | Research-grade peptide | 2026 |
Registered trials include NCT05633966 (KASPR, phase 1, completed 2025), NCT05896293 (phase 2, recruiting), NCT04648969 (phase 2, completed 2025), all investigating subcutaneous or intravenous pulsatile KP-10 in HH and HA.
Mechanism and pharmacology
Endogenous agonist at KISS1R (GPR54) on hypothalamic GnRH neurons. KP-10 binding stimulates GnRH release, which in turn triggers LH and FSH secretion from the anterior pituitary. The effect is dose-dependent and modulated by baseline sex-steroid levels. In direct human comparison, intravenous KP-10 stimulates LH less potently than exogenous GnRH but is thought to produce a more physiological pattern of gonadotropin release. Half-life is very short (~4 min), limiting chronic use without pulsatile pump delivery.
Evidence by claim
| Claim/indication | Stage | Grade | Best human evidence | Main result | Important limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stimulation of LH/FSH in healthy men and women | Phase 1/2 | B | Multiple controlled human studies | Dose-dependent LH/FSH increase after i.v., s.c., or i.n. administration | Short half-life; pulsatile delivery required; small n |
| Treatment of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) | Phase 1/2 | C | Open-label, single-group studies | Increased LH pulsatility; some ovarian follicle development | No placebo-controlled efficacy data; small n |
| Treatment of hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA) | Phase 1/2 | C | Open-label studies ongoing | Preliminary evidence of LH increase; follicular development signal | Data incomplete; trials recruiting |
Key studies
| Study | Design/population | Exposure studied | Endpoints and result | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KP-10 vs KP-54 vs GnRH (Chan 2015) | Single-blind; healthy men (n=5 per dose) | i.v. infusion at 0.1-1.0 nmol/kg/h × 3 h | GnRH ~2-3× more potent than KP-10 in LH/FSH rise | Small n; acute exposure only; single-blind |
| KASPR (NCT05633966) | Open-label; women with HA (n=13) | Pulsatile s.c. KP-10 × 2 weeks | LH pulse increase; follicle development assessed | Completed 2025; results not fully published |
| Intranasal KP-54 (Lancet EBioMed 2025) | RCT crossover; healthy and HA patients | Intranasal KP-54 (includes KP-10 active core) | Significant LH rise with intranasal KP-54 | Not KP-10 specifically; included KP-54 data |
Dose and administration evidence
Approved labeled regimen
Not applicable — not approved.
Studied regimens (not recommendations)
Intravenous bolus: 0.3-1.0 nmol/kg (single dose).
Subcutaneous pulsatile: ~0.24-1.8 nmol/kg per pulse every ~60-240 min via pump for up to 2 weeks.
Intranasal: Not studied with KP-10 specifically; KP-54 used at 3.2-25.6 nmol/kg as spray.
What is not established
No established or recommended human dose.
Safety
Human-study signals
Generally well-tolerated in acute studies.
No serious adverse events reported in phase 1/2 trials.
Theoretical risk of desensitisation with continuous exposure.
No long-term safety data.
Unknowns and product-quality risks
No chronic toxicity or carcinogenicity data.
Reproductive safety unknown.
Products sold online as "kisspeptin-10" are unregulated; purity and dose are not verified.
Interactions and special populations
Not studied in pregnancy, lactation, children, or elderly.
Effect may be modulated by baseline oestradiol in women.
Interactions with hormonal contraceptives or GnRH analogues unstudied.
Regulatory, compounding, and sport notes
Approval: No FDA-approved product or EMA-authorized medicine was identified; status elsewhere requires a current national-register check.
WADA: The 2026 List explicitly names kisspeptin and its agonist analogues under S2.2.1 as testosterone-stimulating peptides prohibited at all times in males. Kisspeptin stimulates endogenous GnRH release but is not itself a GnRH analogue.
Compounding: No general exemption or lawful-compounding conclusion follows from investigational status; applicable rules are product-, jurisdiction-, and fact-specific.
Evidence gaps
Chronic safety and desensitisation risk.
Phase 2/3 efficacy for ovulation induction.
Optimal delivery route (pump vs. nasal vs. depot).
Comparison with conventional gonadotropin therapy.
Long-term reproductive outcomes.
Search notes
Databases and registries: PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, IUPHAR/BPS Guide to Pharmacology
Search terms: kisspeptin-10, KP-10, KISS1, metastin, GnRH neuron, hypothalamic amenorrhea
Last searched: 2026-08-06
Inclusion emphasis: Human clinical studies, registered trials
Sources
Chan YM, et al. Direct comparison of kisspeptin-10, kisspeptin-54 and GnRH. Hum Reprod. 2015;30(8):1849-56. PMID 26089302.
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05633966 (KASPR), NCT05896293, NCT04648969.
Abbara A, et al. Intranasal kisspeptin-54 stimulates gonadotropin release. EBioMedicine. 2025. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/ebiom/article/PIIS2352-3964(25)00133-1/fulltext
IUPHAR/BPS Guide to Pharmacology – kisspeptin receptor. https://www.guidetopharmacology.org/GRAC/FamilyIntroductionForward?familyId=34
Seminara SB, et al. Kisspeptin administration in humans. N Engl J Med. 2006;355(15):1615. Cited for foundational methodology.
PubChem CID 25074872 (kisspeptin-10).
WADA. 2026 Prohibited List. https://www.wada-ama.org/en/resources/world-anti-doping-program/prohibited-list