Dynamic modulation of LH secretion by continuous kisspeptin infusion in healthy men

In three healthy men, a 24-hour continuous kisspeptin-10 infusion rapidly raised luteinizing hormone 5- to eightfold, peaking at 17.5–30.6 mIU/mL within 12–20 hours before partially declining. FSH and testosterone rose modestly in parallel. These results show that continuous kisspeptin infusion can dynamically stimulate gonadotropin secretion in healthy men.

Journal article — open-label single-arm physiology study. Population: healthy adult men. Sample size: 3 healthy adult men. Follow-up: 24 hours. Interventions: kisspeptin-10 continuous intravenous infusion, 12.5 mcg/kg/h for 24 h.

Continuous kisspeptin infusion caused LH to rise immediately from a baseline of 2.8–3.8 mIU/mL to peak values of 17.5–30.6 mIU/mL, a 5- to eightfold increase, reached within 12–20 hours. LH then declined by 13–47% from its maximum to 10.7–22.8 mIU/mL by the end of infusion. FSH and testosterone rose modestly in parallel.

This paper provides human data on how continuous, non-pulsatile kisspeptin-10 administration modulates LH secretion over 24 hours, which is relevant to understanding kisspeptin receptor responses and GnRH-driven gonadotropin dynamics. It does not establish the mechanisms of desensitization, long-term effects, or any therapeutic application.

Key findings

• LH rose from a baseline of 2.8–3.8 mIU/mL to peak values of 17.5–30.6 mIU/mL, a 5- to eightfold increase, within 12–20 hours of starting the infusion.
• LH declined by 13–47% from its maximum by the end of the 24-hour infusion, settling at 10.7–22.8 mIU/mL.
• FSH and testosterone rose modestly in parallel with LH.
• Continuous kisspeptin infusion in these healthy men produced an immediate LH increase rather than complete desensitization during the 24-hour infusion.

Limitations

• Very small sample size of three healthy men
• No control arm
• Single 24-hour infusion; longer-term responses were not assessed
• Findings in healthy men may not generalize to other populations

The record

• Journal: Hormones (Athens, Greece)
• Published: 2026-06-02
• PMID: 42230485 — DOI: 10.1007/s42000-026-00795-y
• Funding: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; U.S. Food and Drug Administration; National Center for Translational Research in Reproduction and Infertility; NICHD NIH HHS
• Author countries: USA

Peptide profiles: Kisspeptin.

All indexed evidence: Kisspeptin trials & papers.

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