Dhillo WS, Chaudhri OB, Thompson EL, Murphy KG, Patterson M, Ramachandran R, Nijher GK, Amber V, Kokkinos A, Donaldson M, Ghatei MA, Bloom SR. Kisspeptin-54 stimulates gonadotropin release most potently during the preovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle in women.
J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2007;
92:3958-66. [PMID:
17635940 DOI:
10.1210/jc.2007-1116]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 195] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT
Kisspeptin, the endogenous ligand of the G protein-coupled receptor 54, is a key regulator of the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. GPR54-null mice exhibit reproductive dysfunction, and exogenous kisspeptin potently stimulates the HPG axis in rodents, primates, and human males. The effects of kisspeptin administration to human females are unknown.
OBJECTIVE
Our objective was to investigate the effects of kisspeptin on LH release during the menstrual cycle in female volunteers.
DESIGN
Bolus sc kisspeptin-54 was administered to female volunteers, and plasma gonadotropins were measured.
SETTING
The study took place at a hospital clinical research facility.
VOLUNTEERS
Subjects were healthy female volunteers with regular menstrual cycles.
INTERVENTION
1) Volunteers received a sc bolus injection of kisspeptin-54 (0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1.6, 3.2, and 6.4 nmol/kg; n = 3-4 per dose) in the follicular phase; and 2) volunteers (n = 8) received a sc bolus injection of either kisspeptin-54 (0.4 nmol/kg) or saline in random order during each phase of the menstrual cycle.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Plasma gonadotropins were measured.
RESULTS
1) Kisspeptin-54 caused a dose-dependent increase in mean LH over time at doses from 0.2-6.4 nmol/kg. 2) Kisspeptin-54 increased plasma LH compared with saline injection in all phases of the cycle. The effect of kisspeptin was greatest in the preovulatory phase and least in the follicular phase of the cycle [mean increase in LH over baseline (IU/liter) +/- sem for follicular phase was 0.12 +/- 0.17; preovulatory phase, 20.64 +/- 2.91 (P < 0.001 vs. follicular phase); luteal phase, 2.17 +/- 0.79 (P < 0.01 vs. follicular phase)].
CONCLUSION
Elevation of plasma kisspeptin in human females potently stimulates LH release in the preovulatory phase and provides a novel mechanism for manipulation of the HPG axis in women.
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