Potential clinical application of Kisspeptin in reproductive endocrinology

Abstract

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) plays an important role in the process of reproduction. Studies have shown that a family of peptides Kisspeptin can act on GnRH-related neurons, stimulating the secretion of GnRH, and activating the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Both animal experiments and clinical studies have shown that exogenous administration of Kisspeptin is able to induce physiological GnRH release in healthy individuals and those with endocrine-disorders, which brings great hope for treatment of reproductive endocrine diseases. The effect of Kisspeptin is similar to the physiological process in induction of ovulation and ovum maturation, leading to high security and efficiency for women receiving in vitro fertilization. Kisspeptin is involved in trophoblast invasion, so it may be useful for predicting pregnancy outcomes. In addition, Kisspeptin is the key hormone in the onset of puberty acting as a signal transducer in metabolism and reproduction, so it provides some directions for studies of polycystic ovary syndrome, hyperprolactinemia, and other metabolic-related reproductive endocrine diseases. This article reviews the character of Kisspeptin and the prospect of its application in treatment of reproductive endocrine diseases.