Kisspeptin-10

Kisspeptin-10 (Kp-10) is a powerful neuropeptide, the shortest active form of kisspeptin, crucial for initiating puberty and regulating reproduction by stimulating the release of hormones (LH, FSH) that control sex steroid production, acting as a key link between energy and reproduction, and also showing potential in treating infertility and even suppressing tumor growth by inhibiting angiogenesis. It works by activating receptors in the brain, triggering the hypothalamus to release GnRH, which then signals the pituitary gland, making it a significant target for reproductive medicine.

Key Functions & Actions
--Reproduction & Puberty: Kp-10 is vital for starting puberty and maintaining fertility, stimulating the release of LH and FSH, which boosts testosterone and estrogen.
--Hormonal Control: It activates the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal (HPG) axis, prompting GnRH release, which leads to LH and FSH secretion.
--Brain Activity: It increases neuronal activity in the limbic system, enhancing responsiveness to sexual and bonding cues, and influences neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin.
--Metabolic Link: It acts as a bridge between energy balance and reproductive function, affecting appetite-related neuropeptides like NPY and BDNF.

Therapeutic Potential
--Fertility Treatments: Used to treat infertility, low libido, and conditions like hypogonadism, mimicking hormones like hCG and clomiphene.
--Cancer Research: Its ability to inhibit angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation) makes it a potential anti-cancer agent, slowing tumor growth.

How it Works
When Kp-10 binds to its receptor (KISS1R) in the brain, it triggers a cascade:
--GnRH Release: Stimulates the hypothalamus to release Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH).
--Gonadotropin Secretion: GnRH causes the pituitary to release Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH).
--Steroid Production: LH and FSH then signal the gonads (testes/ovaries) to produce testosterone and estrogen.