Assessment of Serum Levels of Kisspeptin and Female Sex Hormones in Hypoactive Sexual Females Versus Sexual Healthy Females.

Background: Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) is a prevalent form of female sexual dysfunction with a multifactorial pathophysiology involving hormonal, psychological, and neuroendocrine factors. Kisspeptin, a key neuropeptide in reproductive hormone regulation, has recently been implicated in sexual behavior and emotional processing. This study aimed to assess serum levels of kisspeptin, testosterone, estradiol, and prolactin in women with HSDD compared to healthy sexually active controls, and to evaluate their association with sexual function. Methods: A case-control study was conducted on 44 married women aged 20-50 years; 22 with HSDD and 22 healthy controls. Sexual function was assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Serum hormone levels were measured using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Results: The HSDD group had a significantly lower mean FSFI score (20.6±3.03) compared to controls (28.9±1.3; p<0.001), with all subdomains also significantly reduced (p<0.001). Serum kisspeptin levels were markedly lower in HSDD cases (58.8±5.4 ng/ml vs. 73.3±4.7 ng/ml; p<0.001), alongside reduced testosterone (0.08±0.06vs. 0.30±0.1 ng/ml) and estradiol (66.9±14.4 vs. 111.8±16.7 pg/ml), and elevated prolactin (16.8±4.7 vs. 9.01±2 ng/ml; all p<0.001). Kisspeptin correlated positively with FSFI total score (r=0.791), desire (r=0.785), testosterone (r=0.719), and estradiol (r=0.709), and negatively with prolactin (r=-0.678; all p<0.001). A kisspeptin threshold of ≤66.3 ng/ml predicted HSDD with 95.5% sensitivity, 90.9% specificity, and 93.2% accuracy (p<0.001). Conclusions: Kisspeptin is significantly associated with sexual function and sex hormone levels in women. It may serve as a valuable biomarker and potential therapeutic target in the diagnosis and management of HSDD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]