The kisspeptin-GnRH pathway in human reproductive health and disease

Published in Human Reproduction Update, one of the most respected journals in reproductive medicine, this comprehensive review by Skorupskaite, George, and Anderson examined the role of the kisspeptin-GnRH pathway in human reproductive health and disease.

The authors conducted an extensive review of human studies investigating kisspeptin's role in normal reproductive function, its involvement in reproductive disorders, and its potential as a therapeutic agent. They examined evidence from genetic studies, clinical trials, and physiological experiments in human subjects.

The review established that kisspeptin signaling is essential for normal human reproductive function. Mutations affecting kisspeptin or its receptor cause severe reproductive dysfunction, including hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and infertility. Conversely, exogenous kisspeptin administration effectively stimulates the release of reproductive hormones in both men and women, with a more physiological profile than direct GnRH agonists.

This landmark review was instrumental in establishing kisspeptin as a legitimate therapeutic agent in reproductive medicine. The evidence presented supports kisspeptin's use for conditions including infertility, hypothalamic amenorrhea, and disorders of puberty. Its physiological mechanism of action — working through the body's own hormonal pathways — offers advantages over traditional hormone replacement approaches, including potentially fewer side effects and more natural hormone pulsatility.