- subcutaneous
- intravenous
Kisspeptin
Kisspeptin-10 / Kisspeptin-54 (Metastin)
Kisspeptin at a glance
FDA category 2How studies gave it
Injected into the fat under the skin, or given into a vein
Evidence on this page
3 peer-reviewed papers, published 2015 to 2025
FDA compounding lists
FDA put it on the list of bulk substances that may carry significant safety risks.
What it is
A neuropeptide encoded by the KISS1 gene that acts as the master upstream regulator of the GnRH pulse generator and the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. The full-length form is kisspeptin-54 (also called metastin), while kisspeptin-10 is the minimal bioactive C-terminal fragment sharing the same receptor affinity. In clinical research, kisspeptin-54 has been studied as an IVF oocyte maturation trigger with zero cases of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), and for hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD).
The biohacking community discusses kisspeptin-10 in the context of endogenous testosterone optimization and reproductive axis support. Pulsatile administration is essential — continuous dosing causes receptor desensitization and paradoxical HPG axis suppression.
Published research
Kisspeptin has been studied in approximately 29 interventional human trials, primarily led by teams at Imperial College London and Massachusetts General Hospital. The most clinically advanced application is as an IVF oocyte maturation trigger: KP-54 at 9.6 nmol/kg SC produced 95% oocyte maturation with zero OHSS cases and live birth rates up to 62%.
IV KP-54 also showed a 56% increase in penile tumescence in men with HSDD. Intranasal delivery was first demonstrated in a 2025 proof-of-concept study. Despite strong clinical data, kisspeptin has not progressed to Phase 3 for any indication. Community use of KP-10 for testosterone optimization is extrapolated from clinical trial data and lacks chronic safety validation.
What the terms on this page mean5 termsHide
- receptor
- A docking point on a cell. A molecule that fits it can switch a process on or off inside that cell.
- endogenous
- Made by the body itself, rather than given from outside.
- intranasal
- Sprayed or dropped into the nose and absorbed through the lining.
- Phase 3
- A large trial, the kind regulators read before approving a drug.
- clinical trial
- A study that tests something in people under a written plan, with results recorded.
Compounding status
FDA category 2- FDA lists it as
- Kisspeptin-10
- Applies to
- Compounders under section 503A
- Added
- September 29, 2023
- What that means
- FDA has identified significant safety risks relating to the use of these substances in compounding pending further evaluation and does not intend to adopt the enforcement policy it applies to category 1 substances.
- Note
- FDA lists kisspeptin-10. Kisspeptin-54 is not separately listed.
Source: Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding that May Present Significant Safety Risks, FDA. Content current as of 2026-04-22; read 2026-09-05. This describes what a compounding pharmacy may supply. It is not advice about your own use.
Also given subcutaneous
- KPVLysine-Proline-Valine (α-MSH C-terminal tripeptide)Nomination withdrawn
- LiraglutideLiraglutide (acylated GLP-1(7-37) analog)Not on either FDA list
- LL-37LL-37 (Cathelicidin Antimicrobial Peptide / hCAP18 C-terminal fragment)Nomination withdrawn
- Melanotan IIMelanotan II (Ac-Nle-cyclo[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2)Nomination withdrawn
- MOTS-cMitochondrial Open Reading Frame of the 12S rRNA Type-cNomination withdrawn
- OxytocinOxytocin (Pitocin)Not on either FDA list
Where this came from3 referencesHide
Each one was resolved at PubMed and confirmed to be the work this page cites. Author, title, journal and year come from the PubMed record, not from the page text.
- Efficacy of Kisspeptin-54 to Trigger Oocyte Maturation in Women at High Risk of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) During In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Therapy
Abbara A, et al.. The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism (2015). PMID 26192876.
- Effects of Kisspeptin on Sexual Brain Processing and Penile Tumescence in Men With Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Mills EG, et al.. JAMA network open (2023). PMID 36735255.
- Kisspeptin and its Current Clinical Status-A Systematic Review
Velmurugan H, et al.. Current medicinal chemistry (2025). PMID 38265397.
About this page
Reviewed 2026-08-11. This page reports what published studies and FDA documents say. It carries no dose, cycle length or stack, and it does not tell you whether a substance is appropriate for you. Side-effect reports circulating on forums are self-reported rather than measured, so they are not republished here.
See the editorial policy for how corrections are handled.