Kisspeptin as a new treatment for sexual disorders?

Since its discovery in 2003, kisspeptin, a small peptide, has established itself as a key player in the regulation of reproductive function. It acts by activating the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, which controls the production of sex hormones. 

In female rodents, kisspeptin neurons located in a specific region of the hypothalamus (the AVPV/PeN continuum) translate the positive effect of estrogen on GnRH neurons, thereby triggering ovulation, whereas kisspeptin neurons in the arcuate region participate in the pulsatile rhythm of GnRH secretion, a crucial process in both sexes.

 

But kisspeptin is not limited to reproduction: it also influences sexual behavior via specific brain circuits. In rodents, it modulates male sexual behavior via the amygdala, while female sexual behavior depends on the AVPV/PeN population. In humans, kisspeptin activates areas of the brain linked to emotions and sexual motivation - the amygdala in men, the hippocampus in women - making it a promising therapeutic option for sexual desire disorders.

 

However, a number of obstacles stand in the way of its clinical use: its wide distribution throughout the body, its short life span, and the difficulty of precisely targeting the areas to be stimulated without disturbing the general hormonal balance. Research is therefore needed to improve delivery methods, study sex-differentiated effects, and to better understand its interactions with other neuroendocrine pathways. Kisspeptin opens the way to a new approach, integrating biology, behavior and emotions, for treating sexual disorders.

 

For a more in-depth look at the subject, you can consult the article entitled “No sex without kisspeptin” published in 2018 by Julie Bakker.