Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Successful reproduction relies on integration of sensory cues of attraction with corresponding emotions and behaviours. However, the intrinsic factors integrating these fundamental aspects of human attraction with limbic and reproductive pathways have not been fully identified. Kisspeptin is a crucial activator of the reproductive axis and together with its receptor is widely expressed throughout the limbic and olfactory systems in humans suggesting a potential rol...

Kisspeptin is a recently identified reproductive hormone which serves as a crucial activator of the Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Gonadal (HPG) axis via stimulation of GnRH neurones. We have previously observed that a single kisspeptin injection increases LH pulsatility while twice daily kisspeptin injections can even advance the menstrual cycle. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that kisspeptin restores LH pulsatility in women with hypothalamic amenorrhoea and can potently...

Kisspeptin is a crucial activator of reproductive function, stimulating GnRH neurons in the hypothalamus. However, kisspeptin and its receptor are also expressed in other brain regions including the limbic system, which has key roles in emotional processing. Kisspeptin signalling in the limbic system modulates emotional and sexual brain processing during tasks, however the effects of kisspeptin on underlying resting brain activity have not yet been studied. This is vital for o...

Kisspeptin is a crucial activator of reproductive function, stimulating GnRH neurons in the hypothalamus. However, kisspeptin and its receptor are also expressed in other brain regions including the limbic system, which has key roles in emotional processing. Kisspeptin signalling in the limbic system modulates emotional and sexual brain processing during tasks, however the effects of kisspeptin on underlying resting brain activity have not yet been studied. This is vital for o...

Kisspeptin is a crucial activator of reproductive function, playing a critical role in the hypothalamus to activate GnRH neurons and downstream reproductive hormones. However, kisspeptin and its receptor are also expressed in other brain areas, yet little is known about their function here. The limbic system plays a key role in sexual and emotional behaviours and has a high expression of kisspeptin receptors. We therefore hypothesised that kisspeptin administration may modulat...

Background: The neuropeptide kisspeptin is a key endogenous activator of the reproductive system. Due to its crucial role in modulating reproductive and behavioural processes, there has been accelerating interest in targeting kisspeptin-pathways to treat reproductive and psychosexual disorders. However, contradictory pre-clinical data from animal models suggests that kisspeptin can have an anxiolytic, anxiogenic or have no effects on anxiety. Given the rapid development of kis...

Background: The neuropeptide kisspeptin is a critical endogenous activator of the reproductive system, with escalating clinical interest as a novel therapeutic agent for reproductive and psychosexual disorders. However, conflicting animal data suggest that kisspeptin can have anxiolytic, neutral, or anxiogenic effects. Given the rapid development of kisspeptin-based therapeutics, it is important to clarify kisspeptin’s effects on psychometric measures of anxiety and assoc...