Kisspeptin is produced from the hypothalamus and is responsible for a cascade of cell to cell communication, resulting in production of the hormones, luteinizing, and follicle-stimulating hormones created from the pituitary gland, which are then released into the blood. These hormones stimulate testes and ovaries to produce the sex steroids testosterone and oestradiol, responsible for the physical and emotional changes associated with puberty.

Kisspeptin was originally named metastin after its ability to prevent the spread of cancer (metastasis) and has a non-hormonal role.

Kisspeptin has recently emerged as a key regulator of the mammalian reproductive axis. It is known that kisspeptin, acting centrally via the kisspeptin receptor, stimulates secretion of gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH). Loss of kisspeptin signaling causes hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism in humans and other mammals. Kisspeptin interacts with other neuropeptides such as neurokinin B and dynorphin, to regulate GnRH pulse generation. In addition, a growing body of evidence suggests that kisspeptin signaling be regulated by nutritional status and stress. Kisspeptin may also represent a novel potential therapeutic target in the treatment of fertility disorders. Early human studies suggest that peripheral exogenous kisspeptin administration stimulates gonadotrophin release in healthy adults and in patients with certain forms of infertility. This review aims to concisely summarize what is known about kisspeptin as a regulator of reproductive function, and provide an update on recent advances within this field.