Will advances in endocrinology soon provide new methods of treating infertility? It is quite possible. Scientists are already targeting kisspeptin. This hormone, which owes its name to the American Hershey’s Kisses chocolates, and is associated mainly with puberty and sex drive, has more and more opportunities.
Kisspeptin as the hope of reproductive medicine?
Kisspeptin, a hormone produced by the KISS-1 gene, arouses more and more interest in the scientific community. It occurs naturally in the body of men and women, where it plays a key role in the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Responsible is, inter alia, for stimulating the secretion of sex hormones and the maturation process, which is why it significantly affects the mechanisms of fertility and reproduction. The malfunction of the hormone and its deficiency in the woman’s body may, for example, result in the cessation of the menstrual cycle, and thus the inability to get pregnant. Therefore, it is said that the use of kisspeptin in this field may be a revolution in the field of infertility treatment.
This is confirmed, among others, by research by scientists from Imperial College London, during which kisspeptin was administered to infertile patients with hormonal disorders and the menstrual cycle stopped. In women, after administration of the substance, compared to the rest of the subjects, a 48-fold increase in luteinizing hormone (LH) and a 16-fold increase in follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), i.e. hormones necessary for the ovulation process, and therefore fertility, was noted.
Viagra for the brain
Kisspeptin can support women with low levels of sex hormones and improve biological reproductive mechanisms, e.g. stimulate the ovaries to produce eggs – including using the IVF method – but also positively influence the psychological conditions of the processes preceding fertilization. The hormone is called “Viagra for the brain” for a reason. When administered to healthy men during the examination, MRI showed activity in areas of the brain that generate emotions related to desire, triggering romantic and sexual stimuli.
It is, among others thanks to kisspeptin, young people experience a hormonal storm and unrestrained libido. Therefore, the use of the hormone would support patients with psychosexual disorders. Additionally, as a substance that positively affects mood, research is underway to determine whether it can help people who have suffered from episodes of depression with fertility problems.
Hope for couples
– Many couples are trying to have a child for years, often unsuccessfully – it is estimated that this situation applies to 15 percent. Polish society. It is not surprising then that each failed attempt is a huge stress and disappointment. Many of them react with frustration and sometimes depression as well. Statistics say that 50 percent. women and 15 percent. men receiving infertility treatment indicate this experience as the most stressful experience they have experienced. It happens that such strong emotions and a constant state of anxiety drives another mechanism causing the so-called psychosomatic infertility. It occurs when a woman’s level of cortisol, prolactin and adrenaline increases, the excess of which causes ovulation disorders, explains Dr. Dariusz Mercik, gynecologist and endocrinologist from the Infertility Treatment and Prenatal Diagnostics Clinic of Gyncentrum in Katowice.
That is why not only properly selected medical therapy is so important, but also the support of a psychologist. Scientists suggest that due to its action, kisspeptin may be a potential panacea in the future for disorders not only on an endocrine but also psychosomatic basis. Then the hormone administered by injection or orally to couples with appropriate medical indications would be an important element supporting infertility therapy.
– On the surface, the fertilization process may seem very simple. However, in practice, hundreds of processes must take place at the molecular and biochemical levels for pregnancy to occur. We still do not know the answers to many questions, for example the issue of idiopathic infertility, where the cause of the problem is unknown and the couple have correct test results. Among couples struggling with the problem of infertility, such unexplained cases may constitute even 10-20 percent. On the other hand, the biological aspect plays a dominant role in conceiving a child, but the influence of the brain, attitudes and emotions is no less important and only partially known. If we could obtain a medical agent that would support both biological and psychological factors, it would be a real breakthrough in the treatment of infertility, comments the expert.
Analyzes of substance action pave the way for future research using kisspeptin as a physiological, diagnostic and therapeutic tool in both healthy adults and patients with reproductive disorders.