Skip to main content

Kisspeptin Neurons

Meaning

Kisspeptin neurons are a critical population of specialized nerve cells located primarily in the arcuate nucleus and anteroventral periventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, serving as the master regulators of the reproductive endocrine axis in both males and females. These essential neurons synthesize and secrete the peptide kisspeptin, which acts as the crucial upstream signal to initiate the pulsatile release of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone. Their functional integrity is paramount for pubertal onset, sustained fertility, and the overall maintenance of sex hormone production throughout the entire lifespan.