Kisspeptin is an important hormone that starts the release of other important hormones. It stimulates gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). These two hormones then cause the production of testosterone, estradiol, and progesterone.
Testosterone is a vital hormone for the development of the male body, especially the reproductive organs. The problem is that for many people it can be difficult to produce their own natural levels of the hormone, resulting in a variety of sexual and reproductive disorders including low libido. Fortunately, research shows that the neuropeptide kisspeptin can increase testosterone naturally.
A recent study showed that when kisspeptin was given to a group of men with type-2 diabetes and low testosterone, the hormone triggered a natural production of testosterone in the testes. The scientists gave the hormone to the participants over a 12-hour period in the form of a drip. Kisspeptin entered receptor sites in the pituitary gland and caused GnRH and LH to be released, thereby stimulating the production of testosterone in the testes.
The researchers also observed that the treatment improved brain activity in areas associated with sexual and emotional processing. They found that it increased activity in the bilateral visual cortex and right fusiform gyrus. In addition, it significantly boosted participant-reported happiness and flushing in response to sex stimuli.
In vivo studies on the direct effects of kisspeptin on gonads also show that it has a positive effect on spermatogonial cells, Leydig cells, and spermatids. In the pre-pubetal chub mackerel, in vivo administration of kisspeptin 1-15 peptides over 6 weeks accelerated spermatogenesis and resulted in a high gonadosomatic index (GSI% = gonad mass divided by body weight without gonads multiplied by 100) with histological increases of spermatocytes, spermatids, and spermiation.