A major discovery in the field of reproductive biology, the system combining kisspeptin and its receptor KISS1R opens up interesting treatment prospects against infertility and reduced sexual desire in men and women. A natural hormone, kisspeptin acts on various brain regions where it stimulates reproductive mechanisms and acts on libido. How does this neuropeptide work? What are its main functions? What hopes does this discovery offer?
1. Kisspeptin / KISS1R: a complex system
Initially discovered in the 1990s for its role in the metastatic process of tumors (melanoma, breast cancer), kisspeptin has since been widely studied by scientists around the world. In 2003, researchers made a discovery – which many consider to be major in the field of reproductive biology – by attributing to this hormone another functionality: the stimulation of the brain pathways of sexual attraction. More than the neuropeptide alone, it is the system associating it with its receptor KISS1R which has fueled the work of international researchers. Indeed, the study of this complex system has made it possible to highlight – in particular – its involvement in delayed puberty or even in hypogonadism (testicular or ovarian insufficiency).
2. A neuro-hormone with multiple and still poorly understood roles
Produced by the brain, this neurohormone which belongs to the large kisspeptin family is secreted in both men and women by neurons called KNDy (Kisspeptin/Neurokinin B/Dynorphin). It constitutes the keystone in the production of the sex hormones estrogen and testosterone. In addition, it is largely involved in the secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which would involve it in the process of triggering puberty. It also plays an important role in the pulsatility of this hypothalamic peptide hormone. This pulsatile secretion allows differentiated production of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) or luteinizing hormone (LH) depending on the cycle.
3. Promising therapeutic prospects
The colossal advances made in recent years in understanding the mechanisms controlling reproduction suggest new therapeutic avenues to combat low libido. Two studies carried out by British scientists – in a group of women and a group of men – demonstrated that injecting kisspeptin into people with hypoactive sexual desire disorder increased brain activity in the areas linked to sexual arousal, compared to the injection of a placebo substance. In men, administration of the neuropeptide resulted in a 50% increase in erection, with no adverse effects reported. But this still remains at the state of hypothesis and other work must still be carried out, before more commonplace use.
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