Library / Hormonal

Kisspeptin-10

Also known as Kisspeptin, Metastin (45-54), KP-10

Human trials

Short active fragment of kisspeptin, a hormone that triggers release of gonadotrophin releasing hormone. Studied in human research on reproduction, including triggering egg maturation in IVF.

Not an approved medicine. Kisspeptin-10 is not an approved medicine for this use in Australia or the United States. This page summarises published research for information only. It is not a recommendation to use Kisspeptin-10, and VialOwl does not sell or supply it.

Background

Kisspeptins are natural hormones made from the KISS1 gene, originally identified in cancer research as metastasis suppressors (hence the name metastin). Kisspeptin-10 is the shortest fragment with full activity; human research on it has been led mainly by groups at Imperial College London and Edinburgh since about 2010.

How it is thought to work

Activates the kisspeptin receptor on GnRH nerve cells in the hypothalamus, which then release GnRH, leading to LH and FSH release and, in men, higher testosterone.

What is claimed, and the evidence

Claim	Evidence	Notes
Raising LH and testosterone in men	Small human studies	Small studies in healthy men (groups of 4 to 6) showed strong LH rises and increased testosterone during infusion.
Stimulating reproductive hormones in women	Small human studies Mixed results	Kisspeptin-10 had no effect in the early follicular phase and worked only around ovulation in small studies.
Triggering egg maturation in IVF	Small human studies	Studied mostly with the longer kisspeptin-54, not kisspeptin-10, in women at high risk of ovarian hyperstimulation.
Improving low sexual desire	Small human studies	A 32 man crossover trial used intravenous kisspeptin-54 and measured brain responses and arousal; not kisspeptin-10.
Boosting testosterone, libido or fertility, or recovery after steroid use	No published evidence	Promoted online; no trials of self administered kisspeptin-10.

Side effects

Effect	How often	Notes
No consistent side effects in short research studies	Frequency unknown	Studies were small, single dose or short infusions under supervision.
Blunted response at higher or continuous doses	Frequency unknown	A higher bolus gave a smaller LH response than a lower one in men, suggesting receptor desensitisation.
Immune reactions from impurities in compounded products Serious	Frequency unknown	FDA concern; limited or no safety data for proposed routes.

Warnings

FDA placed kisspeptin-10 in a significant safety risk category for compounding, citing immunogenicity, impurities and lack of safety information.
Long term effects of repeated dosing on fertility and hormone balance are unknown.
Unapproved products bought online or from compounders may be contaminated, non sterile, underdosed, overdosed or contain a different substance; the TGA warns their labelling may be inaccurate and it has received reports of severe allergic reactions and hospitalisations.

Regulatory status

Australia: Not included on the ARTG (unapproved). Not specifically listed in the Poisons Standard (June 2026).
United States: Not FDA approved. In 503A Category 2 (significant safety risks) as of May 2026.

Sources

Also in Hormonal

From the VialOwl library, reviewed 26 September 2026. For education and general information. It is not medical advice and not a recommendation to use Kisspeptin-10.