Understanding Peptides: Comparing Kisspeptin with HCG — All the Details
This all-inclusive guide will try to describe and contrast the two compounds based on data-backed research findings, including how they may be further explored in research studies to:
- Increase testosterone production.
- Influence fertility.
- Improve mood and arousal.
In addition, we will discuss important details about definitions, properties, and action mechanisms. Finally, we’ll tell you our recommended source for researching peptides like Kisspeptin-10.
Kisspeptin Peptide: What is it?
Out of the peptide fragments generated from the primary kisspeptin protein, the shortest one is Kisspeptin-10, an endogenous peptide. The hypothalamus is the site of protein production for the kisspeptin family. Their critical function in controlling reproduction was first hypothesized in 1996. Researchers interested in Kisspeptin-10, considered a potent member of the kisspeptin family, should know the following:
Named after their respective lengths, the four peptides that result from cleaving the 145-amino acid peptide encoded by the “KISS1” gene are Kisspeptin-54, Kisspeptin-14, Kisspeptin-13, and Kisspeptin-10.
Purpose: Kisspeptin 10, like its predecessors, has been hypothesised to control the HPG axis. Studies suggest it may trigger the hypothalamus to secrete gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which may induce the pituitary gland to secrete luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Both of these hormones are considered pivotal to reproductive and sexual processes in both sexes.
Applications in research: Kisspeptin-10 is being studied as a possible method for activating the HPG axis in different scenarios. According to research studies, the peptide may potentially increase GnRH and LH production after 30–40 minutes of exposure; however, its impact is believed to rapidly fade because of its reputed short half-life of 4 minutes.
hCG: What is it?
It wasn’t until 1920 that the endogenous hormone hCG was discovered. The fetus and its growth inside the womb are considered to rely on it. Although the gonads of both expectant and non-expectant females, and males, exhibit trace amounts of the hormone, its primary production appears to occur in the placenta during gestation.
The hormone was first extracted from the urine of research models and further refined. Now, hCG is produced using recombinant DNA technology, which is considered to aid in the creation of a molecule that is indistinguishable from the natural hormone. Scientists interested in hCG should be aware of the following:
Alpha (92 amino acids) and beta (145 amino acids) polypeptide chains connected to various carbohydrate units make up hCG, a complex glycoprotein.
Research indicates that hCG may support the uterine lining and the development of the fetus throughout gestation. Additionally, it is believed to be essential for developing the fetal reproductive system as it may stimulate luteinizing hormone (LH) until the pituitary gland matures.
Investigations purport that hCG has found research utility due to the hormone’s potential to stimulate reproductive hormone production, like LH. For reasons unrelated to anatomy, hCG has been studied in the context of prepubertal cryptorchidism, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in males, and the induction of ovulation in assisted reproduction.
hCG vs. Kisspeptin-10 Peptide
Investigations purport that while hCG and Kisspeptin-10 may activate the HPG axis in distinct ways, they might modulate ovarian and testicular function.
Findings imply that a rise in blood testosterone (T) levels may be possible with hCG, which is why it may be important to note the following features:
Scientists speculate that hCG may potentially stimulate testes and ovaries alike by acting similarly to LH. However, hCG is believed unable to perform the same role as FSH. So, to make the hCG research more successful, FSH is occasionally added to it.
Kisspeptin-10 Peptide Potential
Kisspeptin-10 is yet in the early stages of its scientific exploration. However, the peptide has been the subject of extensive research in various areas. Some of the most important experimental investigations with Kisspeptin-10 and similar kisspeptins are summarised below:
Kisspeptin-10 has been suggested in studies to potentially enhance gonadotropins and testosterone, making it a strong choice for post-cycle and T boosting researchers. Specifically, researchers evaluated how it may have affected LH secretion in male animals. The findings implied that serum T levels appeared to have increased from 430 ng/dl to 480 ng/dl, and an instantaneous, stronger LH pulse than physiological pulses was elicited by a single bolus. Serum T seemed to rise by more than 40% with continuous Kisspeptin-10 infusion, as mentioned before.
Studies suggest that kisspeptins may improve mood and enhance sexual stimuli: A research study indicated that research models responded more actively to stimuli related to sexual and pair bonding when exposed to kisspeptins. Furthermore, the presentation of Kisspeptin appeared to reduce negative behaviours and moods. According to another study, Kisspeptin seems to make male research models more sensitive to visual and olfactory signals of desire. The researchers in these investigations failed to specify whether Kisspeptin-10 or another peptide from the Kisspeptin family, such as Kisspeptin-54, was used.
Please note: You should only take peptide hormones prescribed by a doctor or specialised medical professional.
References
[i] Dhillo W. (2013). Timeline: kisspeptins. The lancet. Diabetes & endocrinology, 1(1), 12–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(13)70098-6
[ii] Kotani, M., Detheux, M., Vandenbogaerde, A., Communi, D., Vanderwinden, J. M., Le Poul, E., Brézillon, S., Tyldesley, R., Suarez-Huerta, N., Vandeput, F., Blanpain, C., Schiffmann, S. N., Vassart, G., & Parmentier, M. (2001). The metastasis suppressor gene KiSS-1 encodes kisspeptins, the natural ligands of the orphan G protein-coupled receptor GPR54. The Journal of biological chemistry, 276(37), 34631–34636. https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.M104847200
[iii] Curtis, A. E., Cooke, J. H., Baxter, J. E., Parkinson, J. R., Bataveljic, A., Ghatei, M. A., Bloom, S. R., & Murphy, K. G. (2010). A kisspeptin-10 analog with greater in vivo bioactivity than kisspeptin-10. American journal of physiology. Endocrinology and metabolism, 298(2), E296–E303. https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpendo.00426.2009
[iv] Thompson, E. L., Patterson, M., Murphy, K. G., Smith, K. L., Dhillo, W. S., Todd, J. F., Ghatei, M. A., & Bloom, S. R. (2004). Central and peripheral administration of kisspeptin-10 stimulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Journal of neuroendocrinology, 16(10), 850–858. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2826.2004.01240.x
[v] Montagnana, M., Trenti, T., Aloe, R., Cervellin, G., & Lippi, G. (2011). Human chorionic gonadotropin in pregnancy diagnostics. Clinica chimica acta; international journal of clinical chemistry, 412(17-18), 1515–1520. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cca.2011.05.025
[vi] Stenman, U. H., Alfthan, H., Ranta, T., Vartiainen, E., Jalkanen, J., & Seppälä, M. (1987). Serum levels of human chorionic gonadotropin in non-pregnant women and men are modulated by gonadotropin-releasing hormone and sex steroids. The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 64(4), 730– 736. https://doi.org/10.1210/jcem-64-4-730
[vii] Mesiano, S. (2019). Endocrinology of human pregnancy and fetal-placental neuroendocrine development. In Yen and Jaffe’s reproductive endocrinology (pp. 256-284). Elsevier.
[viii] Thennati, R., Singh, S. K., Nage, N., Patel, Y., Bose, S. K., Burade, V., & Ranbhor, R. S. (2018). Analytical characterization of recombinant hCG and comparative studies with reference product. Biologics : targets & therapy, 12, 23–35. https://doi.org/10.2147/BTT.S141203