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Category

Growth Hormone Research

GHRH analogs, secretagogues and IGF-family growth factors.

This category covers two pharmacologically separate families that are routinely conflated: growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analogs, which act at the GHRH receptor, and growth-hormone secretagogues, which act at the ghrelin/GHS-R1a receptor. IGF-family growth factors form a third, downstream group.

All material is supplied for laboratory research only. These are not hormone therapies, they hold no approved indication in this form, and they must not be administered to humans or animals.

Growth Hormone Research research compounds

GHRH analogs versus secretagogues

Sermorelin, CJC-1295 and tesamorelin are GHRH analogs — modified versions of the endogenous releasing hormone acting at the GHRH receptor. The key structural distinction inside this group is DAC. CJC-1295 with DAC carries a drug-affinity complex that binds serum albumin and extends half-life substantially; CJC-1295 without DAC, correctly named Modified GRF (1-29), lacks that complex and behaves as a short-acting analog. They are different molecules with different masses and are listed as separate products for that reason.

Ipamorelin, hexarelin, GHRP-2 and GHRP-6 are secretagogues acting at GHS-R1a rather than the GHRH receptor. Ipamorelin is the most selective of the group in published in vitro characterisation, while GHRP-6 shows the broadest off-target profile. Selectivity, not potency, is usually the variable of interest when choosing between them for receptor work.

IGF-family growth factors

IGF-1 LR3 is a Long R3 analog of insulin-like growth factor 1, engineered with an arginine substitution and an N-terminal extension that sharply reduce binding to IGF-binding proteins. PEG-MGF is a pegylated mechano-growth-factor splice variant. Both are proteins rather than short peptides, and they behave accordingly: larger, more conformationally sensitive and less tolerant of thermal or shear stress.

Because these are folded proteins, aggregation is the dominant failure mode. Solutions are handled cold, never vortexed, and inspected for haze before use.

Analytical and storage notes

DAC-containing and non-DAC CJC-1295 differ by roughly the mass of the maleimide linker complex, which mass spectrometry resolves cleanly. Any supplier that cannot distinguish them analytically cannot substantiate which product they shipped.

Larger constructs in this category are more sensitive to freeze-thaw cycling than short sequences. Single-use aliquoting after reconstitution is standard practice for IGF-family material.

Growth Hormone Research — frequently asked questions

What is the difference between CJC-1295 with DAC and without DAC?

CJC-1295 with DAC includes a drug-affinity complex that binds albumin and greatly extends its half-life. CJC-1295 without DAC is Modified GRF (1-29), a short-acting GHRH analog with no such complex. They are chemically distinct molecules with different molecular masses.

Are GHRH analogs and secretagogues interchangeable?

No. GHRH analogs act at the GHRH receptor while secretagogues such as ipamorelin act at the ghrelin receptor GHS-R1a. They engage separate receptors and separate signalling cascades, which is why they are studied both individually and in parallel.

Why does IGF-1 LR3 need different handling from short peptides?

It is a folded protein rather than a short linear sequence, so it is vulnerable to aggregation from heat, shear and freeze-thaw cycling. Cold handling, gentle dissolution and single use aliquots preserve integrity.

Which secretagogue is most selective?

In published in vitro characterisation ipamorelin shows the most selective GHS-R1a profile of the commonly studied secretagogues, whereas GHRP-6 shows the broadest off-target activity. Selection depends on what your receptor panel is measuring.

Related research categories

All compounds listed on this page are supplied for laboratory research use only. They are not drugs, supplements or cosmetics, and are not intended for human or veterinary consumption. See our research use policy.

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Related categories, stacks and documentation

Compare growth hormone research against adjacent research categories, or read the analytical and policy documentation that applies to every lot.