Figure 2. Intermittent kisspeptin administration drives a corresponding pattern of GnRH dependent luteinizing hormone discharges in monkey.

Intermittent intravenous administration of kisspeptin-10 (2 μg/min for 1 min/hour starting at 11 a.m. on day 1 and continuing for 48 hours, closed data points) induces a sustained train of luteinizing hormone (LH) “pulses” in a naturally GnRH-deficient primate model (juvenile male rhesus monkey) that matches that generated by an antecedent intermittent GnRH infusion, also administered at 1 pulse/hour before kisspeptin administration (9 to 11 a.m., day 1). The LH response to kisspeptin was abolished by prior treatment with a GnRH receptor antagonist (not shown). Results for vehicle are shown in the open data points. Although kisspeptin-10 or vehicle was administered every hour for 48 hours, LH responses were tracked for only two or three pulses per day. Black arrows indicate times of pulse infusions of kisspeptin-10 or vehicle that were selected for monitoring the LH response. White arrows indicate time of GnRH pulse infusions. Values are presented as mean ± standard error. GnRH, gonadotropin-releasing hormone. Reproduced from Plant et al. ³² with permission of the Endocrine Society.