The last decade has seen remarkable advances in our understanding of the control of reproduction. In particular, neuroendocrine systems have been discovered that significantly alter the way that we view central control of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion and action. The recognition that kisspeptin is a potent stimulator of GnRH neurons was a seminal advance. Kisspeptin cells are now seen as the sex-steroid responsive cells that relay feedback information to GnRH cells. In addition, in seasonal breeders, the function of kisspeptin cells is altered in a predictable way between breeding and non-breeding seasons. The finding that kisspeptin cells of the arcuate nucleus also produce neurokinin B and dynorphin add another layer of control of reproduction and this has led to the development of new tools for the manipulation of reproduction. The kisspeptin cells also interact with appetite regulating neurons in the brain and this has furthered our understanding of how metabolic state can influence reproductive function. The question as to whether kisspeptin cells are the sought after ‘pulse generators’ for GnRH cells will be discussed. Another newcomer on the reproductive neuroendocrine stage is gonadotropin inhibitory hormone (GnIH) and the extent to which this is important has been investigated in a variety of species. Compelling data for an inhibitory role in the regulation of reproduction has been obtained in studies on sheep and this will be reviewed. With the expansion of our knowledge of the reproductive neuroendocrine system, revision of our textbooks is in progress. Kisspeptin provides us with the conduit for communication from the gonads to the GnRH cells and GnIH may play a lesser role as a modulator of GnRH function. In addition, the modulatory role of other neuropeptides, such as the melanocortins, is now appreciated and allows us to formulate models for the multimodal regulation of reproduction by the brain.