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Sexual & Reproductive Health Peptides

Explore sexual & reproductive profiles and evidence guides by mechanism, research stage, safety context, and primary sources.

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Category membership organizes related research questions. It does not establish effectiveness, approval, or suitability for a person.

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Sexual response, reproductive hormones, fertility outcomes, and approved indications require different evidence and may carry materially different risks.

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PT-141PT-141 (Bremelanotide) is a synthetic melanocortin receptor agonist that acts centrally on MC3R and MC4R to modulate sexual arousal, and is the first …KisspeptinA neuropeptide encoded by the KISS1 gene that serves as the master regulator of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, controlling GnRH release, pub…HCGHuman Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) is a glycoprotein hormone consisting of 237 amino acids (alpha and beta subunits) that mimics luteinizing hormone, …HMGHuman Menopausal Gonadotropin (hMG/Menotropins) is a combination of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) extracted from pos…OxytocinOxytocin is a 9-amino acid endogenous neuropeptide produced in the hypothalamus that regulates social bonding, stress response, wound healing, and inf…ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic Hormone)Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH, corticotropin) is a 39 amino acid peptide derived from POMC that stimulates cortisol synthesis in the adrenal corte…Alpha-MSH (α-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone)Alpha-MSH is an endogenous tridecapeptide derived from POMC processing that acts as a non-selective melanocortin receptor agonist, regulating pigmenta…Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH)Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) is a TGF-β superfamily glycoprotein produced by granulosa cells and Sertoli cells that serves as a gold-standard biomarke…BuserelinBuserelin is a synthetic GnRH agonist with a D-Ser(tBu)6 substitution and C-terminal ethylamide modification, approximately 40x more potent than nativ…CetrorelixA synthetic decapeptide gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist used to prevent premature LH surges during IVF ovarian stimulation.CJC-1295 with DACCJC-1295 DAC is a synthetic growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analogue consisting of the first 29 amino acids of GHRH, conjugated with a drug af…Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)Follicle-stimulating hormone is a glycoprotein gonadotropin essential for follicular development, ovarian stimulation in IVF, and spermatogenesis supp…GnRH (Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone)GnRH is a hypothalamic decapeptide that serves as the master regulator of vertebrate reproduction, controlling LH and FSH release from the anterior pi…GonadorelinGonadorelin (GnRH) is a decapeptide gonadotropin-releasing hormone that stimulates LH and FSH release, with clinical applications in fertility assessm…Growth Differentiation Factor 9 (GDF-9)GDF-9 is a TGF-β superfamily member secreted exclusively by oocytes that regulates cumulus cell expansion, granulosa cell proliferation, and folliculo…Insulin-Like Peptide 3 (INSL3)INSL3 (Relaxin-Like Factor) is a two-chain peptide hormone produced primarily by Leydig cells in the testes and theca cells in the ovary. It serves as…Kisspeptin-10Kisspeptin-10 is a synthetic decapeptide that activates the KISS1R (GPR54) receptor to modulate GnRH neuron signaling. It is researched for applicatio…Kisspeptin-54Kisspeptin-54 (metastin) is the full-length bioactive fragment of the KISS1 gene product (amino acids 68-121), a 54-amino acid peptide that activates …
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MELANOTAN 1Melanotan I (afamelanotide) is a synthetic tridecapeptide analog of alpha-MSH with selective MC1R agonist activity, FDA-approved as Scenesse for eryth…MELANOTAN 2Melanotan 2 (MT-2) is a synthetic cyclic heptapeptide analog of alpha-MSH that acts as a non-selective melanocortin receptor agonist, studied for effe…Melanotan IIA synthetic cyclic heptapeptide analog of alpha-MSH that non-selectively activates melanocortin receptors, producing skin tanning, appetite suppressio…NafarelinNafarelin is a synthetic GnRH agonist with a D-Nal(2)6 substitution, approximately 200x more potent than native GnRH. Marketed exclusively as an intra…Progestogen Peptide MimeticsProgestogen peptide mimetics are an emerging class of research-stage compounds designed to selectively modulate the progesterone receptor using peptid…ProstamaxProstamax is a complex peptide bioregulator preparation derived from prostate tissue, developed at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and G…Setmelanotide (Imcivree)Setmelanotide (Imcivree) is a highly selective MC4R agonist cyclic octapeptide FDA-approved in 2020 for the treatment of obesity caused by POMC, PCSK1…TestagenTestagen is a complex peptide bioregulator preparation targeting testicular tissue, developed at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Ger…TriptorelinTriptorelin is a synthetic GnRH agonist (D-Trp6-GnRH) used clinically for prostate cancer, endometriosis, precocious puberty, and uterine fibroids. Av…
Read the full category research notes

These notes map terminology and research themes. Verify claims in the linked profile references and current primary records.

Sexual & Reproductive Health Peptides

This category covers peptides researched for their effects on sexual function, libido, reproductive hormone signaling, and fertility. These peptides act through melanocortin receptors, GnRH pathways, kisspeptin signaling, and gonadotropin regulation.

Complete Peptide Directory

Sexual Function Peptides

PeptideDescriptionPrimary Mechanism
PT-141 (Bremelanotide)Melanocortin agonist FDA-approved (Vyleesi) for hypoactive sexual desire disorderMC3R/MC4R activation; central nervous system sexual arousal pathways
PT-141 NasalIntranasal formulation of PT-141 for improved convenienceSame melanocortin mechanism with nasal delivery route
BremelanotideGeneric name for PT-141; cyclic heptapeptide melanocortin agonistMC3R/MC4R agonist; HSDD and erectile dysfunction research
Melanotan 2Non-selective melanocortin agonist with tanning and sexual function effectsMC1R (tanning), MC3R/MC4R (sexual arousal), MC5R (sebaceous)
OxytocinNeuromodulator of social bonding, sexual arousal, and orgasmOxytocin receptor; pair bonding, sexual function, labor induction

Reproductive Hormone Regulation

PeptideDescriptionPrimary Mechanism
Kisspeptin-10Master regulator peptide of GnRH neuron firing and reproductive axisKISS1R agonist; puberty onset, hypothalamic amenorrhea, IVF research
Kisspeptin-54Full-length kisspeptin with sustained GnRH stimulationKISS1R agonist; longer-acting reproductive axis activation
GonadorelinSynthetic GnRH that stimulates pulsatile LH and FSH releaseGnRH receptor agonist; hypogonadism diagnosis, fertility stimulation
GnRHEndogenous gonadotropin-releasing hormone from hypothalamusGnRH receptor; master regulator of reproductive hormone cascade
LHRHLuteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (identical to GnRH)GnRH receptor; pulsatile gonadotropin release
NafarelinSynthetic GnRH agonist with enhanced potency for hormonal suppressionGnRH receptor agonist/desensitizer; endometriosis, precocious puberty
BuserelinLong-acting GnRH agonist for reproductive hormone modulationGnRH receptor agonist; prostate cancer, endometriosis, IVF
TriptorelinDepot GnRH agonist for sustained gonadotropin suppressionGnRH receptor agonist; prostate cancer, precocious puberty, endometriosis
Insulin-Like Peptide 3Leydig cell hormone involved in testicular descent and fertilityRXFP2 receptor; gubernaculum development; testosterone signaling

Common Research Themes

Melanocortin Pathway: PT-141 and Melanotan 2 both act through melanocortin receptors, but PT-141 was specifically developed to isolate the sexual function effects from the tanning effects of MT-2. PT-141 is FDA-approved (as Vyleesi) for premenopausal HSDD.

Kisspeptin-GnRH Axis: Kisspeptin sits upstream of the entire reproductive hormone cascade. It activates GnRH neurons, which release GnRH (gonadorelin), which stimulates LH/FSH from the pituitary. This makes kisspeptin a key research target for understanding and modulating fertility.

GnRH Agonist Paradox: Short-term GnRH agonist exposure stimulates gonadotropins, but sustained exposure (Nafarelin, Buserelin, Triptorelin) paradoxically suppresses them through receptor desensitization — the basis for their use in hormone-dependent conditions.

Central vs. Peripheral Action: PT-141 and Oxytocin act centrally (brain) to modulate sexual function, while Gonadorelin and Kisspeptin act on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, and Insulin-Like Peptide 3 acts peripherally on reproductive tissues.

Getting Started

If you are new to this category, we recommend starting with PT-141 — FDA-approved (as bremelanotide/Vyleesi) for hypoactive sexual desire disorder with a well-characterized mechanism. From there, explore related peptides through the See Also sections on each page to build a comprehensive understanding of the research landscape.

Pain & Nociception Peptides

Research peptides involved in pain signaling, nociceptive modulation, analgesic pathways, and neuroinflammatory pain conditions.

Russian Bioregulator Peptides

The complete Khavinson family of short peptides — organ-specific bioregulators that modulate gene expression in targeted tissues, developed at the St. Petersbur