Sermorelin is a 29-amino-acid synthetic GHRH(1-29) analog — the first FDA-approved GHRH peptide (Geref), with the longest published research history of any synthetic GHRH compound.
Product definition
What is Sermorelin?
Sermorelin is a 29-amino-acid synthetic GHRH(1-29) analog — the first FDA-approved GHRH peptide (Geref), with the longest published research history of any synthetic GHRH compound.
Sermorelin (also designated GHRH(1-29)NH2) is the C-terminally amidated 29-amino-acid N-terminal fragment of the 44-amino-acid endogenous GHRH. Studies dating to the 1980s established that GHRH(1-29) retains full receptor binding and GH-stimulating potency relative to the full-length peptide — the C-terminal residues beyond position 29 contribute little to biological activity.
The FDA approved sermorelin (as Geref, Serono) for GH deficiency in pediatric patients, establishing the first regulatory approval for any synthetic GHRH compound. This regulatory dataset provides human pharmacokinetic characterization (dose-response, GH AUC, IGF-1 normalization) that constitutes the foundational GHRH analog research literature.
Sermorelin's short half-life distinguishes it from tesamorelin (trans-3-hexenoic acid N-terminal modification, ~26 minutes) and CJC-1295 variants (30 minutes to 6–8 days), positioning sermorelin as the first-generation reference compound for short-duration GHRH receptor activation protocols.
Research context
How is Sermorelin described in the research literature?
Sermorelin binds GHRH receptors on pituitary somatotropes via the active N-terminal sequence of native GHRH, stimulating pulsatile GH release through cAMP signaling. The endogenous feedback axis (somatostatin, IGF-1) remains intact, producing physiologically patterned GH pulses. Half-life ~10–20 minutes in vivo; short active window defines its research utility in acute GH pulse studies.
Compound profile
Key facts about Sermorelin
- Class
- Synthetic GHRH analog (GHRH(1-29)NH2)
- Amino acids
- 29
- Molecular weight
- ~3,358 Da
- Half-life
- ~10–20 minutes in vivo
- CAS
- 86168-78-7
- Clinical status
- FDA-approved (Geref) for pediatric GH deficiency — discontinued commercially
- Research category
- GHRH receptor pharmacology, GH axis, GH pulse research
- Storage
- Lyophilized: −20°C. Reconstituted: 2–8°C, use within 14 days
Research areas
What research areas is Sermorelin associated with?
- First FDA-approved GHRH peptide — longest regulatory and clinical research history of any synthetic GHRH compound
- Full GHRH receptor agonism via the biologically active N-terminal 29-amino-acid sequence
- Maintains intact somatostatin feedback and IGF-1 counter-regulation — physiologically patterned GH pulses
- ~10–20 minute half-life enables acute GH pulse kinetics research with clean on/off dynamics
- Most historically documented synthetic GHRH in preclinical literature — decades of published animal and human data
- Reference baseline for comparing newer GHRH analogs (tesamorelin, CJC-1295) in GH axis pharmacology
Research audience
Who researches Sermorelin?
Sermorelin is used by researchers studying GHRH receptor pharmacology, GH pulse physiology, pituitary somatotrope function, GH deficiency models, and GH axis response to intervention. It is particularly relevant for labs requiring a historically grounded reference GHRH compound with published human pharmacokinetic data.
Preclinical research overview
What does the preclinical literature say about Sermorelin?
Sermorelin's research history predates the modern synthetic peptide research supply market. Published human studies from the 1980s and 1990s characterized its dose-response relationship for GH stimulation, its utility in GH deficiency testing (GH stimulation test), and its effects on body composition in GH-deficient children. This long publication record makes sermorelin uniquely interpretable — there is decades of experimental context for its pharmacological effects.
In animal model research, sermorelin has been studied for age-related GH secretion decline (somatopause), GH axis response to chronic administration, and pituitary somatotrope sensitivity. The preserved feedback axis under sermorelin administration (versus direct GH supplementation) has made it a useful model for studying the regulated GH secretion system rather than simply supplying GH exogenously.
For comparative pharmacology research, sermorelin serves as the baseline against which newer GHRH analogs are evaluated. The improvements from sermorelin to tesamorelin (DPP-IV resistance), CJC-1295 Without DAC (four protective substitutions), and CJC-1295 With DAC (albumin binding, 6–8 day half-life) each represent incremental pharmacokinetic advances measured against the sermorelin baseline.
Common questions
Frequently asked about Sermorelin
How does sermorelin compare to CJC-1295 Without DAC?
Both are GHRH analogs that bind the GHRH receptor and produce pulsatile GH release. Sermorelin is native GHRH(1-29) — susceptible to DPP-IV cleavage, half-life ~10–20 min. CJC-1295 Without DAC (MOD GRF 1-29) has four protective amino acid substitutions that confer DPP-IV resistance and extend half-life to ~30 minutes. For research requiring the historically documented first-generation GHRH reference compound, sermorelin is appropriate. For protocols requiring longer active windows with the same receptor mechanism, CJC-1295 Without DAC is the better choice.
Is sermorelin still commercially available as a pharmaceutical?
Geref (Serono) was voluntarily discontinued from the US market in 2008 for commercial reasons unrelated to safety. Sermorelin remains available as a research compound, and some compounding pharmacies in the US have included it in compounded preparations. Its FDA approval history and the published pharmacokinetic data from the approved product period remain in the research literature.
What storage conditions does sermorelin require?
Lyophilized sermorelin is stable at −20°C. Reconstituted, store at 2–8°C and use within 14 days — sermorelin's short peptide without protective modifications has slightly lower solution stability than protected analogs like CJC-1295 Without DAC. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw of reconstituted material.
Research Use Only
Sold for laboratory and research purposes only. Not approved for, nor intended for, human or veterinary consumption, diagnostic use, or therapeutic application. These products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Keep out of reach of children. For use by qualified researchers only.
Nothing on this page constitutes medical advice, a treatment recommendation, or a clinical protocol. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before making any health or treatment decisions.
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