What Is Kisspeptin?
Kisspeptin is a family of peptides made from the KISS1 gene. The gene was first identified in 1996 by researchers in Hershey, Pennsylvania, who were studying genes that suppress the spread of cancer, and they named it after the town's best-known product, Hershey's Kisses. For that reason the longest form, kisspeptin-54, was originally called metastin.
The full precursor protein is cut into several kisspeptins of different lengths, 54, 14, 13 and 10 amino acids long. They all share the same final ten amino acids, and that shared end is what binds the kisspeptin receptor. Kisspeptin-10 is that active end on its own: the shortest form that still does the job, which makes it the version most used in research.
How Does Kisspeptin Work? Kisspeptin and GnRH
Kisspeptin binds the KISS1 receptor, also called GPR54, on the GnRH neurons of the hypothalamus. Activating it triggers the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, which in turn tells the pituitary to release luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Those hormones then act on the ovaries or testes.
The discovery that made kisspeptin famous came in 2003, when two research groups found that people with mutations in the kisspeptin receptor did not go through puberty. That established kisspeptin as the gatekeeper of puberty and a master switch of the reproductive axis. Research since has examined its role in fertility, including studies of kisspeptin as a trigger in IVF research, and its links to metabolism and body weight. Browse the published work in our kisspeptin research library.
Kisspeptin vs Gonadorelin, hCG and Enclomiphene
Kisspeptin is often compared with other compounds that act on the reproductive hormone axis. The clearest way to see the difference is by where each one acts along the chain from brain to gonads.
| Compound | What it is | Where it acts |
|---|---|---|
| Kisspeptin-10 | Active fragment of kisspeptin | Top of the axis: GnRH neurons in the hypothalamus |
| Gonadorelin | Synthetic GnRH | One step down: the pituitary |
| hCG | Hormone that mimics LH | Bottom of the axis: the gonads directly |
| Enclomiphene | Small molecule, not a peptide | Blocks estrogen feedback, raising the body's own signals |
Because kisspeptin acts at the top, the rest of the natural chain still regulates what happens downstream, which is why it is studied as a tool for probing the whole axis. Kisspeptin-54 vs kisspeptin-10 is a question of duration: the longer form lasts longer in circulation, while kisspeptin-10 acts briefly. See all melanocortin and reproductive research peptides.
Kisspeptin-10 5mg and 10mg Vials
Chainwell Peptide stocks kisspeptin-10 in two fills, both produced to the same specification and sealed in the same 3 mL clear glass vial with a rubber stopper and orange flip-off cap. Choose the size that matches the scale of your study.
Kisspeptin-10 5mg
The kisspeptin 5mg vial is the smaller format, suited to a first order, method development or a short study. It is the easiest fill to use completely inside the 28 day window after reconstitution, so little peptide is lost if a study pauses or changes direction.
For kisspeptin-10 5mg reconstitution, 1 mL of bacteriostatic water gives 5mg per mL, and 2 mL gives 2.5mg per mL.
Kisspeptin-10 10mg
Kisspeptin-10 10mg carries twice the peptide of the 5mg vial in a single lot, so ongoing work runs from one certificate of analysis instead of two, and it costs less per milligram. It suits labs that already work with kisspeptin and have a settled method.
For the 10mg vial, 2 mL of bacteriostatic water gives 5mg per mL, the same concentration as 1 mL in the 5mg vial, and 1 mL gives 10mg per mL.
How to Mix Kisspeptin-10
To mix kisspeptin-10, let the vial reach room temperature, wipe the stopper with an alcohol swab, and add bacteriostatic water slowly down the inside wall with a U-100 insulin syringe. Swirl gently until clear; do not shake. Keep the reconstituted vial at 2 to 8 °C, protected from light, and use it within 28 days; unopened, it keeps longest frozen at minus 20 °C. Our reconstitution guide and calculator covers other volumes.
Lab-Tested Kisspeptin With a COA for Every Lot
Because kisspeptins of different lengths share the same active end, a mass check is the way to confirm you have kisspeptin-10 and not a longer form. Every Chainwell Peptide kisspeptin lot, 5mg and 10mg alike, is sent to an independent laboratory before release: mass spectrometry confirms the molecular mass matches kisspeptin-10, about 1,302 g/mol, and HPLC measures purity. A lot that does not meet specification is not sold. Check your lot on our COA lookup page.
Buy Kisspeptin in Australia
Chainwell Peptide supplies kisspeptin peptide in Australia to laboratories, universities and independent researchers, packed and dispatched from within Australia. Before you buy kisspeptin from any supplier, check that the listing says which kisspeptin it is (10 or 54), that the vial carries a lot number, and that the certificate for that lot is available before you pay.
- Same-day dispatch on orders paid before 3pm on a business day.
- Australia-wide delivery to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart, Darwin and regional addresses, by standard or express post.
- PayID or bank transfer, with your order number as the payment reference.
- Tracked orders you can follow on our order tracking page.
The current price is shown at the top of this page, with GST included. See our shipping policy for delivery details.
Kisspeptin-10 Specifications
| Compound | Kisspeptin-10 |
|---|---|
| Class | KISS1 receptor (GPR54) agonist, neuropeptide |
| Sequence | Tyr-Asn-Trp-Asn-Ser-Phe-Gly-Leu-Arg-Phe-NH2 (YNWNSFGLRF-NH2) |
| Molecular formula | C63H83N17O14 |
| Molecular weight | Approximately 1,302.4 g/mol |
| Vial sizes | 5mg, 10mg |
| Form | Lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder |
| Container | 3 mL clear glass vial, rubber stopper, orange flip-off cap |
| Identity and purity | Mass spectrometry and HPLC, per lot |
| Storage | Minus 20 °C long term, 2 to 8 °C once reconstituted, protect from light |
| Shipping | Standard or express post, Australia-wide |
Research Use Only
Kisspeptin is not approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration for any therapeutic use. Chainwell Peptide sells it strictly for laboratory and in vitro research. It is not for human or veterinary use, and we do not provide dosing advice. By ordering you agree to our terms and conditions and research use only statement.
Kisspeptin tools and guides
Kisspeptin FAQ
What is kisspeptin?
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Kisspeptin is a family of peptides made from the KISS1 gene that activate GnRH neurons in the hypothalamus, sitting at the top of the reproductive hormone axis. Kisspeptin-10 is the ten amino acid active end. Chainwell Peptide supplies it in 5mg and 10mg lyophilized research vials.
How does kisspeptin work?
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Kisspeptin binds the KISS1 receptor, also called GPR54, on GnRH neurons. That triggers GnRH release, which prompts the pituitary to release LH and FSH. Mutations in this receptor prevent puberty, which is why kisspeptin is called the gatekeeper of the reproductive axis.
What is the difference between kisspeptin-10 and kisspeptin-54?
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Both share the same final ten amino acids that bind the receptor. Kisspeptin-54 is the full-length form and lasts longer in circulation; kisspeptin-10 is the shortest active form and acts briefly. Chainwell Peptide supplies kisspeptin-10, confirmed by mass on the certificate.
How is kisspeptin different from gonadorelin?
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They act at different levels. Kisspeptin works at the top of the reproductive axis, on the GnRH neurons in the hypothalamus. Gonadorelin is synthetic GnRH itself and acts one step lower, on the pituitary. hCG acts lower still, directly on the gonads.
How do you reconstitute kisspeptin-10?
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Add bacteriostatic water slowly down the inside wall of the vial and swirl gently until clear, without shaking. 1 mL in the 5mg vial, or 2 mL in the 10mg vial, gives 5mg per mL. Store it at 2 to 8 °C, protected from light, and use it within 28 days.
Where can I buy kisspeptin in Australia?
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You can buy kisspeptin-10 in Australia from Chainwell Peptide in 5mg and 10mg lyophilized vials. Every lot carries a lot number matched to an independent certificate of analysis, and orders paid before 3pm on a business day ship the same day by standard or express post.
