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Kisspeptin: a potential therapeutic target in patients with unexplained infertility?

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Irish Journal of Medical Science (1971 -) Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Kisspeptin has recently emerged as a key regulator of the reproductive axis in women. Kisspeptin, acting centrally via the kisspeptin receptor, stimulates the secretion of the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH).

Aims

To investigate serum kisspeptin levels in infertility patients for its clinical utilisation in management and understanding of the pathophysiology of infertility in a wide array of patients.

Methods

This prospective case–control study analysis involved 92 primary infertile women with PCOS, diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), unexplained infertility (UEI), and male factor infertility between 20 and 42 years of age. Serum samples were collected between the second and fifth day of the menstrual cycle. The kisspeptin level was determined using a human kisspeptin ELISA kit according to the manufacturer’s procedure.

Results

The median value of serum kisspeptin in the PCOS infertility group was significantly higher than that in the UEI group (p = 0.011). There was a statistically significant (p = 0.015, r =  −0.182) negative weak correlation found between serum kisspeptin levels and age. The optimal cutoff value obtained to differentiate the UEI from others (PCOS infertility + DOR + male factor infertility) according to the serum kisspeptin level was 214.3 ng/L with a sensitivity of 55% and specificity of 80.9%.

Conclusions

Understanding the role of kisspeptin may lead to its use as a biomarker in infertility diagnosis in UEI patients and might guide the use of kisspeptin analogues in selected patients for infertility management.

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Availability of data and materials

Statistical analysis of the data set during the current study is available at https://data.mendeley.com/drafts/tkt49875rc.

Abbreviations

GnRH:

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone

LH:

Luteinizing hormone

E2:

Estradiol

UEI:

Unexplained infertility

ART:

Assisted reproductive technology

HPO:

Hypothalamic pituitary ovarian axis

BMI:

Body mass index

DOR:

Diminished ovarian reserve

PCOS:

Polycystic ovary syndrome

AMH:

Anti-Mullerian hormone

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Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge the guidance and assistance provided by Dr. Sener Yalcınkaya from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Clinic.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Istanbul Teaching and Research Hospital, 34098, Istanbul, Turkey

    Nil Atakul, Berna Sermin Kılıc & Fehmi Unal

  2. Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Bezmialem Vakıf University, 34093, Istanbul, Turkey

    Sahabettin Selek

  3. Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Beykent University, Istanbul, Turkey

    Yıldız Atamer

  4. Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Istanbul Teaching and Research Hospital, 34093, Istanbul, Turkey

    Nil Atakul

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  1. Nil Atakul
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Correspondence to Nil Atakul.

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Atakul, N., Kılıc, B.S., Selek, S. et al. Kisspeptin: a potential therapeutic target in patients with unexplained infertility?. Ir J Med Sci 192, 1779–1784 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-022-03152-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-022-03152-1

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