Kisspeptin vs Gonadorelin: Two Steps Up the Chain
App Library Tools Pricing Download
[Hormones · Comparison]

Kisspeptin vs gonadorelin: how do they differ?

Mechanism · Human studies · Status

Short answer: Kisspeptin tells the brain to release GnRH; gonadorelin is GnRH itself.12 Both end by raising LH and FSH from the pituitary. Neither has a current human label: kisspeptin was never approved, and both human gonadorelin products were discontinued.34 FDA lists kisspeptin-10 as a compounding safety concern.5 Human studies of each are small. No study has compared them.

How do kisspeptin and gonadorelin compare side by side?

From published human studies, Drugs@FDA, FDA compounding lists and the 2026 WADA List.
Kisspeptin (kisspeptin-10)Gonadorelin (GnRH)
Where it actsAbove GnRH: stimulates GnRH release, which raises LH and FSH1The pituitary, which releases LH and FSH2
US statusNever approved. Kisspeptin-10 on FDA's 503A Category 2 list since September 29, 20235Factrel and Lutrepulse approved, then discontinued; current DailyMed labels are veterinary346
Main human studiesShort studies in healthy men and women, given into a vein or under the skin178Men with GnRH deficiency, treated for weeks to months29
Effect on LH in men1 mcg/kg into a vein raised LH from 4.1 to 12.4 IU/L at 30 minutes1Pump pulses brought LH and FSH to normal adult levels within a week in men lacking GnRH2
Effect on testosterone22.5-hour infusion: 16.6 to 24.0 nmol/L in healthy men177 to 520 ng/dL after one month in men lacking GnRH2
Does a steady supply keep working?In one study, 5 days of continuous infusion lost the LH effect; daily 8-hour infusions kept it for 12 days8A pulsing pump worked better than 500 mcg twice a day9
SportWADA S2.2.1 in males (kisspeptin named)10WADA S2.2.1 in males (gonadorelin named)10

Reviewed . Half-life figures are shown only where the value Dose Track uses agrees with the cited source.

Where in the hormone chain does each one act?

The chain runs kisspeptin to GnRH to LH and FSH to the testes. Kisspeptin sits at the top: in healthy men it raised LH within 30 minutes, and a low-dose infusion made LH pulses come more often (0.7 to 1.0 pulses an hour).1 Gonadorelin replaces GnRH itself, so it works even when the brain makes too little GnRH, as long as the pituitary works.2

Why does timing matter for both?

Both systems respond to pulses. For kisspeptin, a 2026 study in healthy men found that 5 days of steady infusion under the skin kept testosterone up but LH fell back to placebo levels, while daily 8-hour infusions with 16 hours off kept LH raised over 12 days.8 For GnRH, a 1987 study found a pump giving a pulse every 90 minutes worked better than twice-daily injections.9

Most of this work used infusions in a clinic, not single daily shots. These are study protocols, not personalized advice; confirm any dosing with your prescriber.

Do men and women respond the same way?

Not to kisspeptin-10. In one study it raised LH in men but not in women in the early part of the menstrual cycle.7 The gonadorelin studies cited here were in men.29

More detail: the Kisspeptin-10 and Gonadorelin guides.

This page summarizes labels and published studies. It is not personalized medical advice; confirm any dose or change with your prescriber.
Gonadorelin vs hCG: how do they differ?Brain-signal copy vs approved LH mimic hCG vs kisspeptin: how do they differ?Approved LH mimic vs research brain signal hCG vs enclomiphene: how do they differ?Injectable LH mimic vs oral SERM

Frequently asked questions

Is kisspeptin the same as gonadorelin?+
No. Kisspeptin triggers the release of GnRH; gonadorelin is a synthetic copy of GnRH. Both end by raising LH and FSH.12
Is either FDA approved?+
Neither has a current human product. Kisspeptin was never approved and is on FDA's 503A Category 2 list; the human gonadorelin products Factrel and Lutrepulse were discontinued.534
Does kisspeptin stop working with repeated use?+
With a steady 5-day infusion, LH fell back to placebo levels in one study, but daily 8-hour infusions kept LH raised for 12 days.8
Has kisspeptin been compared with gonadorelin?+
No. The studies of each used different people (healthy volunteers vs men with GnRH deficiency) and different methods.
Can I track kisspeptin and gonadorelin in Dose Track?+
Yes. Kisspeptin-10 and gonadorelin are both built in, with reconstitution math and reminders.

Sources

  1. George JT, et al. Kisspeptin-10 is a potent stimulator of LH and increases pulse frequency in men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2011.
  2. Hoffman AR, Crowley WF Jr. Induction of puberty in men by long-term pulsatile administration of low-dose gonadotropin-releasing hormone. N Engl J Med. 1982;307:1237-41.
  3. Drugs@FDA: NDA 018123, Factrel (gonadorelin hydrochloride) injection. Original approval September 30, 1982; all strengths discontinued.
  4. Drugs@FDA: NDA 019687, Lutrepulse kit (gonadorelin acetate) injection. Original approval October 10, 1989; discontinued.
  5. FDA. Certain bulk drug substances for use in compounding that may present significant safety risks (Category 2 and nominated-but-withdrawn lists). Updated April 2026.
  6. DailyMed search for gonadorelin, October 28, 2026: five current labels (Factrel, Cystorelin, Fertagyl, Gonabreed, OvaCyst), all veterinary products.
  7. Jayasena CN, et al. The effects of kisspeptin-10 on reproductive hormone release show sexual dimorphism in humans. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2011.
  8. Yeung AC, et al. Chronic subcutaneous kisspeptin-10 stimulates gonadotropin secretion for 12 days in healthy men. Eur J Endocrinol. 2026.
  9. Shargil AA. Treatment of idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in men with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone: a comparison of treatment with daily injections and with the pulsatile infusion pump. Fertil Steril. 1987;47:492-501.
  10. World Anti-Doping Agency. The 2026 Prohibited List, in force January 1, 2026 (English text as published in the Dutch Treaty Series, Tractatenblad 2026, 25).

All compound comparisons · Kisspeptin-10 guide · Gonadorelin guide · All compound guides · Peptide tracking in Dose Track