Several studies in various animal groups have reported that gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), is an important regulator of reproductive function. However, our knowledge of the molecular characteristic of GnRH and its function in the abalone is inadequate. Therefore, we have characterized the GnRH gene and its peptide sequence from the ganglia of sexually mature female H. asinina using Rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) technique and study its biological function by in vivo 5-bromo-2’-deoxyuridine (BrdU) gonadal cell proliferation assay. A partial length cDNA encoding GnRH-related gene was generated from H. asinina ganglia and demonstrated a high similarity with other gastropods. The deduced 12 amino acids sequence of abalone GnRH (abGnRH)-like peptide showed a high conservation with other protostomians’GnRH. The effect of buserelin and abGnRH on gonadal proliferation of H. asinina was investigated. Groups of one-year-old female abalone were injected with buserelin and abGnRH, at doses of 250 and 500 ng/g BW, and exhibited a stimulatory effect on ovarian maturation and oocyte proliferation. The abGnRH at high dose of 1000 ng/g BW had a lesser effect on inducing ovarian maturation and oocyte proliferation. These findings provide further knowledge about the molecular characteristics and function of GnRH on abalone reproduction which could be applied in aquaculture to enhance abalone reproduction.