Overview
Kisspeptin-10 is a growth hormone-related peptide. C-terminal decapeptide fragment of kisspeptin.
With a half-life of ~4 minutes, Kisspeptin-10 requires daily administration in most observed protocols. Administered via SubQ injection, it has a bioavailability of approximately 80% via its primary route.
Extremely short half-life (~4 minutes). Rapid proteolytic degradation in plasma. Subcutaneous administration. One-compartment model.
Mechanism of Action
Kisspeptin-10's pharmacological activity involves the following key pathways:
GH Axis Modulation
Kisspeptin-10 interacts with the growth hormone axis to influence GH-related signaling pathways.
Dosing Protocols
The following protocols represent commonly observed dosing patterns. These are observational summaries, not recommendations.
Dose
50 mcg/day
Route
Subcutaneous
Frequency
2-3 times daily
Duration
4-12 weeks
Dose
200 mcg/day
Route
Subcutaneous
Frequency
2-3 times daily
Duration
4-12 weeks
Reconstitution Steps
Kisspeptin-10 is supplied as a lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder and requires reconstitution before use. Common vial sizes: 2 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg.
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1
Gather Supplies
Collect the Kisspeptin-10 vial, bacteriostatic water, alcohol swabs, a mixing syringe, and insulin syringes for dosing.
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2
Swab Vial Tops
Wipe the rubber stoppers of both the Kisspeptin-10 vial and bacteriostatic water vial with alcohol swabs. Allow to air dry before proceeding.
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3
Add Bacteriostatic Water
Draw 2 mL of bacteriostatic water and inject it slowly down the inside wall of the Kisspeptin-10 vial. Avoid spraying directly onto the lyophilized powder to prevent degradation.
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4
Dissolve Gently
Allow the water to dissolve the powder naturally over 1–2 minutes. Gently roll the vial between your palms if needed. Do not shake, as this can damage the peptide structure.
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5
Verify and Label
The reconstituted solution should be clear and colorless. Label the vial with the date of reconstitution, concentration, and peptide name for accurate tracking.
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6
Store and Draw Doses
Store the reconstituted vial upright in the refrigerator at 2–8°C. For a 5 mg vial reconstituted with 2 mL, each unit on a 100-unit insulin syringe equals 25 mcg.
Quick Reconstitution Math
5 mg vial + 2 mL bac water = 2,500 mcg/mL. For a 100 mcg dose, draw 4 units on a 100-unit insulin syringe. Use the Milligram reconstitution calculator for custom vial sizes.
Reconstituted Kisspeptin-10 is stable for 14–21 days refrigerated at 2–8°C. Do not freeze reconstituted solution. Store lyophilized powder at -20°C for long-term storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kisspeptin-10 and how does it work?
Kisspeptin-10 is a truncated form of the naturally occurring kisspeptin neuropeptide that plays a central role in regulating reproductive hormones. It binds to the KISS1R (GPR54) receptor in the hypothalamus, triggering pulsatile release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which in turn stimulates luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion from the pituitary gland.
What is the half-life of Kisspeptin-10?
Kisspeptin-10 has a plasma half-life of approximately 3–4 minutes in humans, reflecting rapid enzymatic cleavage by plasma proteases. However, the downstream neuroendocrine response persists considerably longer than plasma peptide levels – the cascade of GnRH release, pituitary gonadotropin secretion, and gonadal steroid production unfolds over 60–120 minutes following a single bolus dose.
How does Kisspeptin-10 affect testosterone and LH levels?
A single dose of Kisspeptin-10 has been observed to acutely elevate LH and testosterone for 6–12 hours. Peak concentrations of LH and testosterone typically reach maximum levels within 45–60 minutes after administration. Clinical studies have demonstrated that Kisspeptin-10 increases both LH pulse frequency and amplitude in males through its upstream action on GnRH neurons.
Does Kisspeptin-10 cause receptor desensitization?
Continuous or overly frequent Kisspeptin exposure can lead to KISS1R receptor downregulation, causing LH and FSH output to drop to baseline or below. In studies with daily Kisspeptin-54 administration, LH response was substantially diminished by day 14. However, twice-weekly administration maintained elevated reproductive hormone levels over 8 weeks, indicating that intermittent dosing preserves receptor sensitivity.
How is Kisspeptin-10 typically dosed?
The most commonly observed protocol involves 100–200 mcg administered subcutaneously once daily or every other day. Clinical research has observed maximum LH response at approximately 1 mcg/kg body weight. Starting with lower doses (50 mcg) and intermittent frequency (every 2–3 days) is frequently reported to assess individual response and avoid desensitization.
Can Kisspeptin-10 be used alongside other hormone-support compounds?
Kisspeptin-10 is frequently paired with other compounds that support the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis, such as clomiphene. Because it works upstream at the hypothalamic level rather than directly stimulating the pituitary or gonads, it is considered complementary to compounds acting at other levels of the hormone cascade. Its use in fertility research as an alternative trigger in IVF protocols has also been explored.