Kisspeptin Hormone

This sex hormone may form the basis for a revolutionary new form of infertility treatment for women.

Research findings were published in March 2009 which suggests that the hormone kisspeptin – found in both men and women, could kick-start ovulation in women. It would correct an imbalance in the female sex hormones which would then trigger ovulation.

Ovulation is the most important time in your monthly cycle as this is when you are most fertile, and most likely to conceive.

The role of kisspeptin on the female reproductive system

Kisspeptin works by increasing the production of two important hormones in the woman’s body:

  • Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
  • Luteinizing hormone (LH)

These hormones are produced by the pituitary gland which forms an important part of the endocrine system. The endocrine system is responsible for the control and regulation of hormones in the body which includes the male and female sex hormones.

FSH is responsible for the growth of egg follicles in the ovaries which produce an ovum (egg). LH triggers the release of an egg from a follicle and into the fallopian tubes to await fertilisation by a sperm.

Increasing the levels of these 2 hormones triggers ovulation and therefore increases the chance of pregnancy. This is good news for infertile women.

Research findings

What this research found was that infertile women who were given kisspeptin had much higher levels of FSH and LH than those in fertile women.

This suggests that this hormone could be developed into a fertility treatment which would reactivate flagging reproductive systems in women.
Kisspeptin is only available as an injection although a tablet is currently under development.

Another important aspect is that it would have fewer side effects. Conventional fertility treatments such as IVF tend to focus upon stimulating the ovaries to trigger ovulation and so increase the chance of pregnancy. This can result in several eggs being produced, and fertilised into embryos which are transferred to the woman’s uterus.

The problem with this is that it carries a risk of multiple pregnancies. And carrying two or more babies is riskier for the mother.

However, kisspeptin treatment aims to target the root cause of infertility in women which is usually a hormone imbalance. This will hopefully, reduce the risk of multiple births and conditions such as ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome (OHSS).

Infertility treatment Guide Index:

Infertility Guide

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