Study summary · research use only
The Role of Kisspeptin in the Control of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal Axis and Reproduction
Plain-language summary
Paraphrased from the published abstract below — not a verdict on whether anything works.
This review discusses kisspeptin's role in regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis and reproduction. The abstract describes kisspeptin as activating its receptor KISS1R to promote GnRH secretion, and states kisspeptin neurons in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) co-express neurokinin B (NKB) and dynorphin (Dyn), forming KNDy neurons involved in estrogen feedback to GnRH secretion. It reports kisspeptin is described as a factor in puberty initiation and in regulating female follicle development, oocyte maturation, and ovulation, as well as male Leydig cell regulation, spermatogenesis, sperm function, and reproductive behaviors. The authors note KISS1 gene mutations or kisspeptin/KISS1R system disorders may be associated with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (iHH), central precocious puberty (CPP), and female infertility. Species: human.
Abstract
The discovery of kisspeptin as a critical central regulatory factor of GnRH release has given people a novel understanding of the neuroendocrine regulation in human reproduction. Kisspeptin activates the signaling pathway by binding to its receptor kisspeptin receptor (KISS1R) to promote GnRH secretion, thereby regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis (HPG) axis. Recent studies have shown that kisspeptin neurons located in arcuate nucleus (ARC) co-express neurokinin B (NKB) and dynorphin (Dyn). Such neurons are called KNDy neurons. KNDy neurons participate in the positive and negative feedback of estrogen to GnRH secretion. In addition, kisspeptin is a key factor in the initiation of puberty, and also regulates the processes of female follicle development, oocyte maturation, and ovulation through the HPG axis. In male reproduction, kisspeptin also plays an important role, getting involved in the regulation of Leydig cells, spermatogenesis, sperm functions and reproductive behaviors. Mutations in the KISS1 gene or disorders of the kisspeptin/KISS1R system may lead to clinical symptoms such as idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (iHH), central precocious puberty (CPP) and female infertility. Understanding the influence of kisspeptin on the reproductive axis and related mechanisms will help the future application of kisspeptin in disease diagnosis and treatment. In this review, we critically appraise the role of kisspeptin in the HPG axis, including its signaling pathways, negative and positive feedback mechanisms, and its control on female and male reproduction.
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