Kisspeptin To Boost Female Fertility
March 6th 2007
A recently discovered substance, kisspeptin, may be able boost fertility in women with low hormone levels, British researchers reported today. Kisspeptin is a hormone named after a brand of chocolate, Kiss, produced in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
Scientists at Imperial College, London, say there have been encouraging results from their first tests involving healthy women.
The study showed that kisspeptin stimulates release of the hormones which control the women’s monthly periods. These luteinising hormones are also used artificially during fertility treatment to trigger the release of eggs.
Researchers hope they can now go on to test the substance on women with hormonal problems.
The findings are to be reported to the conference of the Society for Endocrinology in Birmingham, UK, today.
Researcher Dr Waljit Dhillo said: "Kisspeptin has previously been shown to potently stimulate hormone release in animals, but this is the first time that it has been shown to stimulate sex hormone release in women.
"Kisspeptin is a promising new tool for the restoration of normal reproductive function in women with low sex hormone levels."
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