Pulsatile kisspeptin (Kp-10) to boost reproductive hormones in hypogonadotropic hypogonadism
Official title: Phase 2 Kp-10 in Patients with Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10930895 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project gives pulses of the natural brain signal kisspeptin (Kp-10) to people with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism to try to restore reproductive hormones and function.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $324,996 |
| NIH project number | 5R01FD007843-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10930895 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH), both men and women with low GnRH/LH/FSH and low sex hormones, are the intended participants.
✕Less likely to help
People whose low sex hormones are due to pituitary or gonadal failure rather than lack of hypothalamic GnRH, or who cannot mount a GnRH/LH response, may not benefit.
What this research studies
If you take part, you'll receive timed doses of kisspeptin (Kp-10) given in pulses aimed at triggering the brain's GnRH release. Researchers will monitor blood levels of LH, FSH, estradiol or testosterone and other markers of reproductive function, along with symptoms and fertility-related outcomes. The work builds on evidence that kisspeptin powerfully stimulates GnRH neurons and moves that approach into patients with low GnRH. Study visits will be conducted at the hospital and include regular blood tests and clinic assessments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could restore normal LH and FSH release and sex steroid production, improving fertility and symptoms caused by low sex hormones.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier small human studies showed kisspeptin can produce short-term rises in LH, but using pulsatile kisspeptin as an ongoing therapy is still early and not yet proven.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Seminara, Stephanie Beth — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Seminara, Stephanie Beth
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.