What Is Sermorelin?
Sermorelin is a synthetic 29-amino-acid peptide corresponding to the active fragment of growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). It has a regulatory history distinct from most research peptides, noted below.
The short answer
Sermorelin is the GHRH(1-29) sequence — the shortest fragment of growth-hormone-releasing hormone that retains its receptor activity. Historically it was developed as a growth-hormone-axis agent and used diagnostically. In current research it is studied as a GHRH-receptor agonist and is the parent sequence that stabilized analogs such as CJC-1295 are built from.
Composition and specifications
| Compound | Sermorelin (GHRH 1-29) |
|---|---|
| Class | GHRH(1-29) analog |
| Also known as | GRF(1-29) |
| Sequence / length | 29 amino acids (GHRH 1-29) |
| CAS number | 86168-78-7 |
| Molecular weight | 3357.9 g/mol |
| Purity (typical) | ≥99.0% |
| Appearance | White lyophilized powder; water-soluble |
Values above reflect the compound's published specification. As with any research material, the definitive confirmation of identity and purity for a given lot is the mass-spectrometry and HPLC data on its Certificate of Analysis.
How it is described mechanistically
Sermorelin binds the GHRH receptor on the pituitary, where GHRH agonists are associated with stimulation of growth-hormone release. Its comparatively short half-life is a defining feature and is one reason stabilized analogs (such as CJC-1295) were developed.
What has research examined?
Published sermorelin work spans older clinical use and current preclinical research. Areas examined include:
- GHRH-receptor signaling and growth-hormone release
- Use as a diagnostic probe of pituitary function (historical)
- Comparisons with modified GHRH analogs
- Age-related growth-hormone-axis research models
Contemporary research-grade material is studied in laboratory settings; historical clinical use does not make research-grade material a medicine.
How is it characterized and tested?
Two questions matter most about any peptide sample in a research context: is it the right molecule, and how pure is it. Those are answered by analytical testing — commonly mass spectrometry for identity and HPLC for purity — with both reported on a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis (COA). An independent, published COA lets a researcher confirm identity and purity before beginning work. See peptide handling and storage for how samples are kept stable once received.
Primary literature: browse peer-reviewed studies on Sermorelin at PubMed.
Common questions
Is sermorelin FDA-approved?
A sermorelin drug product was formerly FDA-approved and later discontinued; it also remains available through compounding pharmacy channels. The research-grade material offered here is not that drug product and is supplied for laboratory research use only.
What is the difference between sermorelin and CJC-1295?
Sermorelin is the GHRH(1-29) sequence itself. CJC-1295 is a modified, enzymatically stabilized analog of that sequence, characterized as longer-acting.
How is research-grade sermorelin stored?
General practice is to keep the lyophilized peptide cold and protected from light and moisture, with different handling once reconstituted.