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Peptency Academy · Compound

Sermorelin (GHRH 1-29 amide)

Sermorelin is the INN for GRF(1-29)NH2: a synthetic peptide of 29 amino acids that matches residues 1 to 29 of human growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH, also called GRF), with an amidated C-terminus. Source sentenceRecord description: "Sermorelin acetate is the acetate salt of an amidated synthetic 29-amino acid peptide (GRF 1-29 NH 2 ) that corresponds to the amino-terminal segment of the naturally occurring human growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH or GRF) consisting of 44 amino acid residues"; synonym "Sermorelin [INN:BAN]"1 PubChem CID 16132413 The 44 residue parent hormone, human GHRH, was isolated from a human pancreatic tumour and sequenced in 1982. Source sentenceA 44 amino acid peptide with growth hormone-releasing activity has been isolated from a human tumor of the pancreas that had caused acromegaly. The primary structure of the tumor-derived peptide is H-Tyr-Ala-Asp-Ala-Ile-Phe-Thr-Asn-Ser-Tyr-Arg-Lys-Val-Leu-Gly-Gln-Leu-Ser-Ala- Arg-Lys-Leu-Leu-Gln-Asp-Ile-Met-Ser-Arg-Gln-Gln-Gly-Glu-Ser-Asn-Gln-Glu-Arg-Gly -Ala-Arg-Ala-Arg-Leu-NH2.2 Science 1982 PubChem records sermorelin under CID 16132413: formula C149H246N44O42S, about 3357.9 Da, CAS 86168-78-7. Source sentenceTitle: Sermorelin; MolecularFormula: C149H246N44O42S; MolecularWeight: 3357.9; MonoisotopicMass: 3355.8186992; InChIKey: WGWPRVFKDLAUQJ-MITYVQBRSA-N; CAS: 86168-78-71 PubChem CID 16132413

Version 1Edited Evidence through 29 sources

Regulatory content shown for: United States and the Americas.

Peptide, GHRH(1-29) amide

  • INN, GRF(1-29)NH2Sermorelin29 residuesabout 3357.9 DaSource sentenceTitle: Sermorelin; MolecularFormula: C149H246N44O42S; MolecularWeight: 3357.9; MonoisotopicMass: 3355.8186992; InChIKey: WGWPRVFKDLAUQJ-MITYVQBRSA-N; CAS: 86168-78-71 PubChem CID 16132413

Known, not known, contested

Known

  • The sequence of sermorelin, YADAIFTNSYRKVLGQLSARKLLQDIMSR with a C-terminal amide, is identical to residues 1 to 29 of the 44 residue human GHRH sequence published in 1982. Source sentencePubChem CID 16132413, Biologic Line Notation: Sequence YADAIFTNSYRKVLGQLSARKLLQDIMSR; PLN H-YADAIFTNSYRKVLGQLSARKLLQDIMSR-[NH2]; Guillemin 1982: "H-Tyr-Ala-Asp-Ala-Ile-Phe-Thr-Asn-Ser-Tyr-Arg-Lys-Val-Leu-Gly-Gln-Leu-Ser-Ala- Arg-Lys-Leu-Leu-Gln-Asp-Ile-Met-Ser-Arg-Gln-Gln-Gly ... -Leu-NH2"1 PubChem CID 161324132 Science 1982
  • PubChem's record describes sermorelin as binding the growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor. A 1992 study cloned that receptor and measured where the rat receptor mRNA is expressed. Source sentencePubChem CID 16132413, Mechanism of Action: "Sermorelin binds to the growth hormone releasing hormone receptor [...]"; Mayo 1992: "A novel cDNA was isolated from rat pituitary mRNA ... The rat GHRH receptor mRNA is expressed [...] in the anterior pituitary gland"1 PubChem CID 161324133 Mol Endocrinol 1992
  • A 1991 study measured the breakdown of GRF(1-29)-NH2 in porcine plasma by HPLC and identified the main breakdown product as GRF(3-29)-NH2, from cleavage between residues 2 and 3. Source sentenceGRF analogs were incubated in porcine plasma at 37 degrees C, extracted and subsequently analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). [...] The primary degradation product was identified as GRF(3-29)-NH2. ... The cleavage between the 2 and 3 position of the peptide4 Horm Metab Res 1991
  • Anti-doping laboratories have published liquid chromatography mass spectrometry methods that detect sermorelin and its metabolite sermorelin(3-29)-NH2 in plasma or urine (2016, 2021, 2022 and 2026). Source sentence26879649: "simultaneous detection of four different GHRHs and respective metabolites from human plasma"; 34665524: "a metabolite of sermorelin (sermorelin(3-29)-NH2 ) to develop a sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method"; 35298973: "(sermorelin/CJC-1293, sermorelin metabolite, CJC-1295 and tesamorelin) in urine by nanoLC-HRMS/MS"; 41138283: "GHRH and its synthetic analogs (sermorelin/CJC-1293, tesamorelin, and CJC-1295) and the primary metabolite of sermorelin in urine"5 Anal Bioanal Chem 20166 Drug Test Anal 20217 J Pharm Biomed Anal 20228 J Pharm Biomed Anal 2026
  • A PubMed search on 25 Oct 2026 for sermorelin, GRF(1-29) or GHRH(1-29) in the title or abstract returned 366 records, 63 of them with the clinical trial publication type and 10 with the review type. Source sentenceesearch (sermorelin[tiab] OR "GRF(1-29)"[tiab] OR "GHRH(1-29)"[tiab]): count 366; AND clinical trial[pt]: 63; AND review[pt]: 10 (25 Oct 2026)9 PubMed search for sermorelin, GRF(1-29) or GHRH(1-29), 25 October 2026

Not known

  • None of the 27 records that a ClinicalTrials.gov intervention search for sermorelin returned on 25 Oct 2026 uses the word sermorelin; one record, NCT03018886, names GHRH(1-29) as its agent, and it has no posted results. Source sentencequery.intr sermorelin: totalCount 27; full record text searched for "sermorelin": 0 records; NCT03018886 interventions.description "GHRH [GHRH(1-29), [...]]", hasResults false10 ClinicalTrials.gov searches for sermorelin, 25 October 202611 NCT03018886
  • In PubMed searches on 25 Oct 2026, no published analytical test of products sold as sermorelin under a research use label was found. Source sentenceQuery 1 (counterfeit, falsified, illegal, illicit, research use, online, internet, seized, confiscated, unlicensed, black market or vial terms): 5 records, title and abstract screen: 42395176 review, 36787346 capillary electrophoresis method, 30489688 equine plasma screen, 30136411 seized material in Denmark (glycine-modified analogues of modified GRF 1-29 and other secretagogues), 26456392 report on medicines seized in Europe in 2014; none tests products sold under a research use label. Query 2 (mass spectrometry, HPLC or liquid chromatography with product, preparation or sample): 11 records, all method or stability papers12 PubMed searches for tests of sermorelin products, 25 October 2026

Contested

Nothing listed yet.

Chemistry: sermorelin as PubChem CID 16132413 records it

Sequence
YADAIFTNSYRKVLGQLSARKLLQDIMSR
Length
29 residues
Modifications
C-terminal amide (Arg29-NH2)
Formula
C149H246N44O42S
Monoisotopic mass
3355.8187 Da
Average mass
3357.9 Da
CAS
86168-78-7
PubChem CID
16132413
InChIKey
WGWPRVFKDLAUQJ-MITYVQBRSA-N
Synonyms
GRF(1-29)NH2, GHRH(1-29)NH2, hGHRH(1-29)NH2, growth hormone-releasing factor(1-29) amide, groliberin, sermorelina, sermorelinum
Salt form
sermorelin acetate (acetate hydrate PubChem CID 91820622, C151H252N44O45S; CAS 114466-38-5)
Checked 25 October 2026 1 PubChem CID 16132413

Chemistry: the acetate salt and other names

  • PubChem records sermorelin acetate hydrate as CID 91820622: C151H252N44O45S, about 3436.0 Da, written as the peptide amide with one acetic acid and one water. PubChem lists CAS 114466-38-5 for the acetate. Source sentenceCID 91820622: Title Sermorelin acetate hydrate; MolecularFormula C151H252N44O45S; MolecularWeight 3436.0; IUPAC Condensed H-Tyr-Ala-Asp-Ala-Ile-Phe-Thr-Asn-Ser-Tyr-Arg-Lys-Val-Leu-Gly-Gln-Leu-Ser-Ala-Arg-Lys-Leu-Leu-Gln-Asp-Ile-Met-Ser-Arg-NH2.CH3CO2H.H2O. CID 16132413, Related CAS: 114466-38-5 (acetate)13 PubChem CID 918206221 PubChem CID 16132413
  • Other names in PubChem for the same peptide include GRF(1-29)NH2, GHRH(1-29)NH2, hGHRH(1-29)NH2, somatotropin-releasing-hormone(1-29)amide and groliberin. Source sentenceMeSH Entry Terms: Sermorelin | Somatotropin-Releasing-Hormone(1-29)Amide | GHRH(1-29)NH2 | GRF(1-29)NH2 | hGHRH(1-29)NH2 | Growth Hormone-Releasing Factor(1-29)Amide; Depositor-Supplied Synonyms include Groliberin1 PubChem CID 16132413
  • The full 44 residue hormone has its own INN, somatorelin: PubChem CID 16132353, C215H358N72O66S, about 5040 Da. Source sentenceCID 16132353: Title Somatorelin; synonym "Somatorelin [INN]"; MolecularFormula C215H358N72O66S; MolecularWeight 5040; Sequence YADAIFTNSYRKVLGQLSARKLLQDIMSRQQGESNQERGARARL14 PubChem CID 16132353

Sequence

YADAIFTNSYRKVLGQLSARKLLQDIMSR

The 29 residues of sermorelin in one letter code, identical to residues 1 to 29 of human GHRH. The C-terminal arginine is amidated.

Which molecule does a sermorelin certificate describe?

  • Read the sequence, formula and mass on the certificate of analysis. Sermorelin is YADAIFTNSYRKVLGQLSARKLLQDIMSR with a C-terminal amide: C149H246N44O42S, monoisotopic mass 3355.8187 Da and average mass about 3357.9 Da in PubChem. The acetate hydrate is written C151H252N44O45S (about 3436.0 Da). The full 44 residue hormone (about 5040 Da) and tesamorelin (C221H366N72O67S, about 5136 Da) are different molecules. Source sentenceCID 16132413: C149H246N44O42S, MolecularWeight 3357.9, MonoisotopicMass 3355.8186992, Sequence YADAIFTNSYRKVLGQLSARKLLQDIMSR; CID 91820622: C151H252N44O45S, 3436.0; CID 16132353 (Somatorelin): MolecularWeight 5040; CID 16137828 (Tesamorelin): C221H366N72O67S, MolecularWeight 51361 PubChem CID 1613241313 PubChem CID 9182062214 PubChem CID 1613235315 PubChem CID 16137828
  • CJC-1293 differs from sermorelin by the chirality of one amino acid. Two urine methods from anti-doping laboratories report the pair as one target, written sermorelin/CJC-1293, and a 2023 capillary electrophoresis method with a chiral selector separated the two. Source sentence36787346: "Dimethyl-beta-cyclodextrin used as a chiral selector allowed [...] the separation of those basic peptide analogs, including enantiopeptides (sermorelin and CJC-1293) that differ by the chirality of only one amino acid"; 35298973: "(sermorelin/CJC-1293, sermorelin metabolite, CJC-1295 and tesamorelin)"; 41138283: "(sermorelin/CJC-1293, tesamorelin, and CJC-1295)"16 Electrophoresis 20237 J Pharm Biomed Anal 20228 J Pharm Biomed Anal 2026
  • A sample that has broken down can contain sermorelin(3-29)-NH2, the product of cleavage between residues 2 and 3, which anti-doping methods also target. Source sentence1826667: "The primary degradation product was identified as GRF(3-29)-NH2" and "The cleavage between the 2 and 3 position of the peptide"; 34665524: "a metabolite of sermorelin (sermorelin(3-29)-NH2 )"4 Horm Metab Res 19916 Drug Test Anal 2021
  • Labels can name close analogues instead. A 2019 analysis of material seized by Danish customs identified, by LC-HRMS against reference standards, an analogue of modified GRF 1-29 carrying an extra glycine at the N-terminus, and the authors call for methods to be updated accordingly. Source sentenceA number of unknown pharmaceutical preparations seized by Danish customs authorities were submitted for liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) analysis. Comparison with reference standards unequivocally identified the content of the powders as analogs of the growth hormone secretagogues GHRP-2 (Pralmorelin), GHRP-6, Ipamorelin, and modified growth hormone releasing factor (modified GRF 1-29) ... the detected modification involved the addition of an extra glycine amino acid at the N-terminus, and analytical methods targeting growth hormone secretagogues [...] updated accordingly17 Drug Test Anal 2019

What is sermorelin?

Sermorelin is the INN for GRF(1-29)NH2, a synthetic peptide of 29 amino acids identical to residues 1 to 29 of human growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), with an amidated C-terminus. PubChem records it as CID 16132413 (C149H246N44O42S, about 3357.9 Da) and describes it as binding the GHRH receptor. Regulator records for each market are in the status matrix below. Source sentenceRecord description: "an amidated synthetic 29-amino acid peptide (GRF 1-29 NH 2 ) that corresponds to the amino-terminal segment of the naturally occurring human growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH or GRF) consisting of 44 amino acid residues"; Mechanism of Action: "Sermorelin binds to the growth hormone releasing hormone receptor"; MolecularFormula C149H246N44O42S; MolecularWeight 3357.91 PubChem CID 161324132 Science 1982

Is sermorelin a peptide or a steroid?

It is a peptide, not a steroid: one linear chain of 29 standard amino acids, from tyrosine at position 1 to an amidated arginine at position 29. Source sentenceIUPAC Condensed: H-Tyr-Ala-Asp-Ala-Ile-Phe-Thr-Asn-Ser-Tyr-Arg-Lys-Val-Leu-Gly-Gln-Leu-Ser-Ala-Arg-Lys-Leu-Leu-Gln-Asp-Ile-Met-Ser-Arg-NH2; HELM: PEPTIDE1{Y.A.D.A.I.F.T.N.S.Y.R.K.V.L.G.Q.L.S.A.R.K.L.L.Q.D.I.M.S.R.[am]}1 PubChem CID 16132413

Is sermorelin the same as growth hormone?

No. Sermorelin is a 29 residue fragment of the releasing hormone GHRH, while growth hormone is the pituitary protein whose release sermorelin studies measure. A 2010 randomised study in 40 men, for example, measured the 22 and 20 kilodalton forms of human growth hormone released after GHRH(1-29)NH2. Source sentenceWebb 2010: "20 Kilodalton-hGH (20 K-hGH) is the second most abundant pituitary GH variant after 22 K-hGH ... Forty adult males were randomised [...] GHRH(1-29)NH(2)"; PubChem CID 16132413 record description: "amino-terminal segment of the naturally occurring human growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH or GRF)"18 Int J Pediatr Endocrinol 20101 PubChem CID 16132413

How does sermorelin act at the GHRH receptor?

Studies of how it acts are receptor and pituitary cell studies. A 1992 study cloned the pituitary GHRH receptor, a G protein coupled receptor, and measured binding of human GHRH and cyclic AMP production in cells expressing it. A 1984 study measured growth hormone release from cultured rat anterior pituitary cells by hGRF(1-29)NH2 relative to full length hGRF. Source sentenceMayo 1992: "The human homolog of this cDNA was isolated and expressed in human kidney 293 cells, and membrane fractions from these cells were found to bind human GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) [...] intracellular cAMP production in these transfected cells. The encoded receptor protein contains seven potential membrane-spanning domains, a hallmark of G protein-coupled receptors"; Ling 1984: "Their capacity to release growth hormone was tested on rat anterior pituitary cells in monolayer culture ... the potencies of the fragments, hGRF(1-31)NH2, (1-30)NH2 and (1-29)NH2 [...] of that of hGRF"3 Mol Endocrinol 199219 Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1984

What is the molecular weight of sermorelin?

PubChem gives an average molecular weight of 3357.9 Da and a monoisotopic mass of 3355.8187 Da for sermorelin (C149H246N44O42S, CID 16132413). The acetate hydrate, C151H252N44O45S, is about 3436.0 Da (CID 91820622). Source sentenceCID 16132413: MolecularWeight 3357.9; MonoisotopicMass 3355.8186992; MolecularFormula C149H246N44O42S. CID 91820622: MolecularFormula C151H252N44O45S; MolecularWeight 3436.01 PubChem CID 1613241313 PubChem CID 91820622

What is sermorelin acetate?

Sermorelin acetate is the acetate salt of the same 29 residue peptide amide. PubChem writes the acetate hydrate with one acetic acid and one water per peptide (CID 91820622, C151H252N44O45S, about 3436.0 Da) and lists CAS 114466-38-5 for the acetate; the peptide itself is CAS 86168-78-7. Source sentenceCID 91820622 IUPAC Condensed: ...-Ser-Arg-NH2.CH3CO2H.H2O; MolecularFormula C151H252N44O45S; MolecularWeight 3436.0. CID 16132413 record description: "Sermorelin acetate is the acetate salt of an amidated synthetic 29-amino acid peptide"; CAS 86168-78-7; Related CAS 114466-38-5 (acetate)13 PubChem CID 918206221 PubChem CID 16132413

How is sermorelin different from tesamorelin and CJC-1293?

Tesamorelin is built on the full 44 residue GHRH sequence and has a different formula (C221H366N72O67S, about 5136 Da, PubChem CID 16137828). CJC-1293 differs from sermorelin by the chirality of one amino acid. The WADA 2026 list names all three, with CJC-1295, as examples of GHRH analogues. Source sentenceCID 16137828 (Tesamorelin): Sequence YADAIFTNSYRKVLGQLSARKLLQDIMSRQQGESNQERGARARL; MolecularFormula C221H366N72O67S; MolecularWeight 5136. 36787346: "enantiopeptides (sermorelin and CJC-1293) that differ by the chirality of only one amino acid". WADA 2026, S2.2.4: "growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) and its analogues (e.g. CJC-1293, CJC-1295, sermorelin and tesamorelin)"15 PubChem CID 1613782816 Electrophoresis 202320 WADA Prohibited List 2026 (Internet Archive capture of 24 September 2026)

What has research studied about sermorelin?

Published work covers the isolation and sequence of GHRH, structure and activity tests in pituitary cells, plasma stability and metabolism, receptor studies in rats, anti-doping detection methods, and small human studies that measured growth hormone release. PubMed held 366 records on 25 Oct 2026; this page maps a reviewed set of 11 studies by model and by what each measured. Source sentenceesearch count 366 on 25 Oct 2026; reviewed set: PMIDs 6435620, 1826667, 19747727, 10342875, 26879649, 34665524, 35298973, 36787346, 41138283, 20628515, 92310539 PubMed search for sermorelin, GRF(1-29) or GHRH(1-29), 25 October 20262 Science 198219 Biochem Biophys Res Commun 19844 Horm Metab Res 199121 Endocrinology 199918 Int J Pediatr Endocrinol 20105 Anal Bioanal Chem 2016

Are there clinical trials of sermorelin?

Few registry records name it. A ClinicalTrials.gov intervention search for sermorelin returned 27 records on 25 Oct 2026, but none of them uses the word sermorelin. The search also returns records for other GHRH molecules, such as tesamorelin (code TH9507), and one record, NCT03018886 in Finland, names GHRH(1-29); that record is marked completed and has no posted results. Source sentencequery.intr sermorelin: totalCount 27; records containing "sermorelin": 0; titles include NCT02012556 "Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Study of TH9507, a Growth Hormone-Releasing Factor Analog, in HIV Positive Patients" and NCT02196831 "Tesamorelin Effects on [...] in HIV"; NCT03018886 overallStatus COMPLETED, hasResults false, location Helsinki, Finland10 ClinicalTrials.gov searches for sermorelin, 25 October 202611 NCT03018886

Is sermorelin an FDA approved drug?

US

An approved medicine with this INN exists in the United States. The catalog item is not that medicine. FDA's 503A categories list, updated 14 May 2026, does not name sermorelin. Source sentenceopenFDA drugsfda, products.active_ingredients.name SERMORELIN: application records with submission_status AP (checked 25 Oct 2026). 503A categories list "Updated May 14, 2026": no match for sermorelin in Category 1, 2 or 322 openFDA Drugs@FDA query for sermorelin, 25 October 202623 FDA, 503A bulk drug substance categories, updated 14 May 2026 (Internet Archive capture of 21 October 2026)

Evidence map: sermorelin

Primary studies of Sermorelin (GRF(1-29)NH2), by model and by what was measured. Reviews are not counted. An empty cell means: not mapped yet.
ModelChemistry and analyticalPharmacokineticsReceptor binding and signallingTissue histologyBiomarkersClinical endpoint
Analytical only (no biological model)Not mapped yetNot mapped yetNot mapped yetNot mapped yetNot mapped yetNot mapped yetNot mapped yet
In vitro or ex vivoNot mapped yetNot mapped yetNot mapped yetNot mapped yetNot mapped yetNot mapped yetNot mapped yet
RodentNot mapped yetNot mapped yetNot mapped yetNot mapped yetNot mapped yetNot mapped yetNot mapped yet
Other animalNot mapped yetNot mapped yetNot mapped yetNot mapped yetNot mapped yetNot mapped yetNot mapped yet
Human, uncontrolledNot mapped yetNot mapped yetNot mapped yetNot mapped yetNot mapped yetNot mapped yetNot mapped yet
Human, randomisedNot mapped yetNot mapped yetNot mapped yetNot mapped yetNot mapped yetNot mapped yetNot mapped yet

0 studies countedEvidence level facet: no published primary data. A design scale, not a measure of strength or quality.

Counts only the 11 exact match studies reviewed for this page on 25 October 2026, out of 366 PubMed records for sermorelin, GRF(1-29) or GHRH(1-29) (63 with the clinical trial publication type). Studies that used several models are counted once in each model and measurement they report. Empty cells are not mapped yet. Studies of the 44 residue hormone, of the receptor alone or of other analogues, and reviews, are listed but not counted.

Human studies of sermorelin

  • A 2010 randomised study at University College London measured the 22 and 20 kilodalton forms of growth hormone released in 40 adult men after GHRH(1-29)NH2, and the clearance of both forms in 10 of them. Source sentenceForty adult males were randomised [...] GHRH(1-29)NH(2) [...]. Clearance rate of 22 and 20 K-hGH was measured in 10 subjects.18 Int J Pediatr Endocrinol 2010
  • A 1997 uncontrolled multicentre study in the UK measured height velocity, bone age, adverse events and blood tests in 9 prepubertal children with growth hormone deficiency after cranial or craniospinal radiation who received GHRH(1-29)-NH2. Source sentenceA multicentre study comparing growth before and after [...] GHRH (1-29)-NH2 [...] in children with radiation-induced GH deficiency. ... Nine children (six boys) with radiation-induced GH deficiency following cranial (n = 4) or craniospinal (n = 5) irradiation ... All were prepubertal ... Adverse events and [...] measurements of clinical chemistry, haematology, lipid profile and thyroid function were recorded.25 Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 1997
  • A 2016 anti-doping method paper reported the metabolite GHRH(3-29) in a plasma sample from one healthy male volunteer. Source sentencea [...] metabolite (GHRH3-29) was found in a human plasma sample collected after [...] a healthy male volunteer5 Anal Bioanal Chem 2016

Who produced this evidence

  • The 1982 isolation of GHRH and the 1984 fragment study list grants from the US National Institutes of Health (NIADDK and NICHD). Source sentencePubMed GrantList for 6812220 and 6435620: NIADDK NIH HHS (United States); NICHD NIH HHS (United States)2 Science 198219 Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1984
  • The 1991 plasma stability study comes from the Department of Animal Science Research of Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. in Nutley, New Jersey. Source sentenceAffiliation: Department of Animal Science Research, Hoffmann-La Roche Inc., Nutley, New Jersey.4 Horm Metab Res 1991
  • The detection methods come from anti-doping laboratories and university groups in Cologne (German Sport University, 2016), London (King's College London, 2021), Ghent (Ghent University, 2022), Paris-Saclay with the French anti-doping laboratory (2023) and Ankara (Turkish Doping Control Center at Hacettepe University, 2026). The 2016 and 2026 papers declare no conflicts or competing interests. Source sentenceAffiliations: 26879649 Center for Preventive Doping Research, German Sport University Cologne; 34665524 Drug Control Centre, King's Forensics, King's College London; 35298973 Doping Control Laboratory (DoCoLab), Ghent University; 36787346 Institut Galien Paris-Saclay and Laboratoire AntiDopage Français (LADF), Université Paris-Saclay; 41138283 Hacettepe University, Turkish Doping Control Center, Ankara. PMC4830873: "The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare." 41138283: "The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships"5 Anal Bioanal Chem 20166 Drug Test Anal 20217 J Pharm Biomed Anal 202216 Electrophoresis 20238 J Pharm Biomed Anal 202626 Anal Bioanal Chem 2016, full text (conflict of interest statement)
  • The receptor, cell, animal and human studies come from university and hospital groups in Evanston (Northwestern University, 1992), Montreal (1999), Lodz (2009), London (2010) and Manchester with other UK centres (1997). Source sentenceAffiliations: 1333056 Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Cell Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois; 10342875 Notré-Dame Hospital Research Center and the Department of Medicine, University of Montréal; 19747727 Copernicus Memorial Hospital, Lodz, Poland; 20628515 Institute of Child Health, University College London; 9231053 Department of Endocrinology, Christie Hospital NHS Trust, Manchester (Multicenter Study)21 Endocrinology 19993 Mol Endocrinol 199224 Neuropeptides 200918 Int J Pediatr Endocrinol 201025 Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 1997
  • The one registry record that names GHRH(1-29), NCT03018886, is sponsored by Helsinki University Central Hospital. Source sentenceleadSponsor: Helsinki University Central Hospital (class OTHER)11 NCT03018886

Studies

  1. In vitro or ex vivoBiochem Biophys Res Commun 1984

    Growth hormone release from cultured rat pituitary cells by hGRF fragments, including hGRF(1-29)NH2, relative to full length hGRF

    Design
    Synthesis of C-terminally shortened analogues and a cell bioassay
    Population or model
    rat anterior pituitary cells in monolayer culture
    Molecule
    hGRF(1-29)NH2 among other C-terminal fragments exact
    Funding
    NIH grants (NIADDK, NICHD), PubMed GrantList

    PubMed 6435620DOI

  2. In vitro or ex vivoHorm Metab Res 1991

    Breakdown rate and main breakdown products of GRF(1-29)-NH2 and analogues in plasma

    Design
    Plasma stability study with HPLC analysis of breakdown products
    Population or model
    porcine plasma at 37 degrees C
    Molecule
    GRF(1-29)-NH2 and substituted or cyclic GRF analogues exact
    Funding
    Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. (author affiliation)

    PubMed 1826667DOI

  3. RodentEndocrinology 1999

    Pituitary GHRH receptor binding sites and mRNA, hypothalamic somatostatin and GHRH content, and serum IGF-I

    Design
    Rat study with saline controls
    Population or model
    male Sprague Dawley rats aged 2 and 18 months
    Molecule
    human GHRH-(1-29)NH2 exact
    Comparator
    saline

    PubMed 10342875DOI

  4. In vitro or ex vivoNeuropeptides 2009

    Cell proliferation and VEGF and chromogranin A secretion

    Design
    Cell culture study
    Population or model
    human bronchial neuroendocrine tumour cell line NCI-H727
    Molecule
    GHRH(1-29)NH2 exact

    PubMed 19747727DOI

  5. Analytical only (no biological model)Anal Bioanal Chem 2016

    Detection of four GHRHs and their metabolites in plasma by immunoaffinity purification and LC-HRMS/MS, and their detection in rat plasma over time

    Design
    Analytical method validation with in vitro and in vivo metabolism tests
    Population or model
    human plasma; rats; one healthy male volunteer
    Molecule
    Sermorelin, CJC-1293, CJC-1295 and tesamorelin, with metabolites exact

    Authors declare no conflicts of interest (full text, PMC4830873).

    PubMed 26879649DOI

  6. Analytical only (no biological model)Drug Test Anal 2021

    In vitro metabolites of four GHRH analogues and their detection in urine by LC-MS/MS

    Design
    In vitro metabolism study and LC-MS/MS method validation
    Population or model
    fortified urine
    Molecule
    Sermorelin, tesamorelin, CJC-1295 and CJC-1295 with DAC exact

    PubMed 34665524DOI

  7. Analytical only (no biological model)J Pharm Biomed Anal 2022

    Screening and confirmation of GHRH analogues and the sermorelin metabolite in urine, and their stability at different temperatures and pH

    Design
    Analytical method validation with sample stability tests
    Population or model
    urine
    Molecule
    Sermorelin/CJC-1293, sermorelin metabolite, CJC-1295 and tesamorelin exact

    PubMed 35298973DOI

  8. Analytical only (no biological model)Electrophoresis 2023

    Chiral capillary electrophoresis separation of four GHRH analogues, including sermorelin and CJC-1293, and its sensitivity

    Design
    Analytical method development
    Population or model
    spiked water and desalted urine
    Molecule
    Sermorelin, CJC-1293 and two other GHRH analogues exact

    PubMed 36787346DOI

  9. Analytical only (no biological model)J Pharm Biomed Anal 2026

    Screening and confirmation of GHRH, its analogues and the main sermorelin metabolite in urine by nano-LC quadrupole Orbitrap MS

    Design
    Analytical method validation
    Population or model
    urine
    Molecule
    Sermorelin/CJC-1293, tesamorelin, CJC-1295 and the sermorelin metabolite exact

    Authors declare no known competing interests (PubMed).

    PubMed 41138283DOI

  10. Human, randomisedInt J Pediatr Endocrinol 2010

    Amounts of the 22 and 20 kilodalton forms of growth hormone released, and their clearance

    Design
    Randomised study with a saline comparison
    Population or model
    adult men
    Molecule
    GHRH(1-29)NH2 exact
    n
    40
    Comparator
    saline

    PubMed 20628515DOI

  11. Human, uncontrolledClin Endocrinol (Oxf) 1997

    Height velocity, bone age, adverse events and blood tests

    Design
    Multicentre before and after study without a control group
    Population or model
    prepubertal children with growth hormone deficiency after radiation
    Molecule
    GHRH(1-29)-NH2 exact
    n
    9

    PubMed 9231053DOI

  12. Analytical only (no biological model)Science 1982

    Isolation and amino acid sequence of the 44 residue hormone, and activity of its synthetic copy

    Design
    Isolation and sequence of a peptide from a tumour, with synthesis
    Population or model
    peptide extracted from a human pancreatic tumour
    Molecule
    GHRH(1-44)NH2, the parent hormone related form
    Funding
    NIH grants (NIADDK, NICHD), PubMed GrantList

    PubMed 6812220DOI

  13. In vitro or ex vivoMol Endocrinol 1992

    GHRH binding and cyclic AMP production in cells expressing the cloned receptor, and where the receptor mRNA is found

    Design
    Receptor cloning and expression study
    Population or model
    rat pituitary mRNA; human kidney 293 cells expressing the human receptor
    Molecule
    human GHRH related form

    PubMed 1333056DOI

  14. Analytical only (no biological model)Drug Test Anal 2019

    Identity of seized powders by LC-HRMS against reference standards

    Design
    LC-HRMS analysis of seized preparations against reference standards
    Population or model
    preparations seized by Danish customs
    Molecule
    Glycine-modified analogues of modified GRF 1-29 and other secretagogues different molecule

    PubMed 30136411DOI

  15. Human, uncontrolledBioDrugs 1999

    Review of published studies; not counted

    Design
    Narrative drug review
    Molecule
    Sermorelin exact

    PubMed 18031173DOI

Receptor and stability studies

  • A 1992 study cloned a pituitary receptor for GHRH, expressed the human receptor in kidney 293 cells and measured GHRH binding and cyclic AMP production in them; it also measured where the rat receptor mRNA is expressed. Source sentenceThe human homolog of this cDNA was isolated and expressed in human kidney 293 cells, and membrane fractions from these cells were found to bind human GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) [...] intracellular cAMP production in these transfected cells. ... The rat GHRH receptor mRNA is expressed [...] in the anterior pituitary gland3 Mol Endocrinol 1992
  • A 1984 study synthesised C-terminally shortened analogues of human GRF and measured growth hormone release from rat anterior pituitary cells in monolayer culture by hGRF(1-29)NH2 and the other fragments, relative to full length hGRF. Source sentenceA series of C-terminal deleted analogs of human growth hormone-releasing factor (hGRF) ... were synthesized by solid phase methodology. Their capacity to release growth hormone was tested on rat anterior pituitary cells in monolayer culture. ... the potencies of the fragments, hGRF(1-31)NH2, (1-30)NH2 and (1-29)NH2 [...] of that of hGRF.19 Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1984
  • A 1999 rat study measured pituitary GHRH receptor binding sites and receptor mRNA, hypothalamic somatostatin and GHRH content and serum IGF-I in 2 and 18 month old rats given human GHRH-(1-29)NH2 or saline. Source sentenceTwo- and 18-month-old male Sprague Dawley rats were treated [...] human GHRH-(1-29)NH2 or saline. ... high affinity pituitary GHRH-R-binding sites ... hypothalamic somatostatin (SRIF) content ... hypothalamic GHRH content, serum total insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) ... GHRH-R messenger RNA transcript21 Endocrinology 1999
  • A 2009 cell study measured proliferation and the secretion of VEGF and chromogranin A by the human bronchial neuroendocrine tumour cell line NCI-H727 exposed to GHRH(1-29)NH2. Source sentencewe investigated [...] the in vitro effect of GHRH(1-29)NH2 on the proliferation and the secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and chromogranin A by the human bronchial neuroendocrine tumor cells NCI-H72724 Neuropeptides 2009
  • A 1991 study compared the breakdown of GRF(1-29)-NH2 in porcine plasma with and without the inhibitors trasylol and diprotin A, measured by HPLC. Source sentenceGRF analogs were incubated in porcine plasma at 37 degrees C, extracted and subsequently analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). ... The cleavage between the 2 and 3 position of the peptide was [...] by trasylol [...] by the combined use of diprotin A and trasylol.4 Horm Metab Res 1991

Status matrix

United States: FDA records

US

  • FDA's 503A categories list, which covers bulk drug substances nominated for use in pharmacy compounding under section 503A, was updated 14 May 2026 and does not name sermorelin in Category 1, Category 2 or Category 3 (text search of the list as archived on 21 Oct 2026). Source sentence"Updated May 14, 2026"; "Includes three categories of bulk drug substances: Category 1: Bulk Drug Substances Under Evaluation; Category 2: Bulk Drug Substances that Raise Significant Safety Concerns; Category 3: Bulk Drug Substances Nominated Without Adequate Support"; text search for sermorelin, somatorelin and growth hormone releasing: no match (Internet Archive capture 21 Oct 2026, same file as the 1 Oct 2026 capture)23 FDA, 503A bulk drug substance categories, updated 14 May 2026 (Internet Archive capture of 21 October 2026)
  • FDA's substance registry (GSRS) records sermorelin under UNII 89243S03TE as a protein substance with the 29 residue sequence, CAS 86168-78-7 and a molecular weight of 3357.91 calculated from the sequence; its formula field reads C149H247N44O43S, which differs from PubChem's C149H246N44O42S. Sermorelin acetate is a separate record (UNII 00IBG87IQW, CAS 114466-38-5) with sermorelin as its active moiety. Source sentenceUNII 89243S03TE: _name SERMORELIN; substanceClass protein; subunit sequence YADAIFTNSYRKVLGQLSARKLLQDIMSR; codes CAS 86168-78-7, INN 6036, PUBCHEM 16132413; properties MOL_WEIGHT:SEQUENCE(CALCULATED) 3357.91, Molecular Formula C149H247N44O43S. UNII 00IBG87IQW: SERMORELIN ACETATE, CAS 114466-38-5, relationship ACTIVE MOIETY SERMORELIN. PubChem CID 16132413: C149H246N44O42S28 FDA Global Substance Registration System, UNII 89243S03TE29 FDA Global Substance Registration System, UNII 00IBG87IQW1 PubChem CID 16132413

Sport anti-doping list

International

  • The WADA 2026 Prohibited List, in effect from 1 Jan 2026, names sermorelin in class S2.2.4, growth hormone releasing factors, among the examples of GHRH and its analogues, with CJC-1293, CJC-1295 and tesamorelin. S2 substances are prohibited at all times. The 2027 list was not checked for this page. Source sentence"This List shall come into effect on 1 January 2026." S2 PEPTIDE HORMONES, GROWTH FACTORS, RELATED SUBSTANCES, AND MIMETICS ... PROHIBITED AT ALL TIMES (IN- AND OUT-OF-COMPETITION) ... S2.2.4 Growth hormone releasing factors, including, but not limited to: growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) and its analogues (e.g. CJC-1293, CJC-1295, sermorelin and tesamorelin)20 WADA Prohibited List 2026 (Internet Archive capture of 24 September 2026)

Registry records

  • On 25 Oct 2026 ClinicalTrials.gov returned 27 records for an intervention search and 42 for a term search for sermorelin, and none of them uses the word sermorelin. The records include studies of other GHRH molecules, such as tesamorelin (TH9507), and records that name GHRH without saying which molecule; one, NCT03018886, names GHRH(1-29). Source sentencequery.intr sermorelin totalCount 27; query.term sermorelin totalCount 42; records containing "sermorelin": 0 in either set; titles include NCT02012556 "[...] Study of TH9507, a Growth Hormone-Releasing Factor Analog [...]" and NCT02196831 "Tesamorelin Effects on [...] in HIV"; NCT03018886 interventions.description "GHRH [GHRH(1-29), [...]]"10 ClinicalTrials.gov searches for sermorelin, 25 October 202611 NCT03018886
  • NCT03018886, a non-randomised diagnostic study with GHRH(1-29), enrolled 160 participants (patients with suspected growth hormone deficiency and healthy controls); its primary outcome is peak serum growth hormone. Source sentencedesignInfo allocation NON_RANDOMIZED, primaryPurpose DIAGNOSTIC; enrollment 160 ACTUAL; armGroupLabels healthy control subjects, patients with suspected GH deficiency; interventions.description "GHRH [GHRH(1-29), [...]]"; primaryOutcomes "Peak serum GH [...] by Immulite 2000 Xpi"11 NCT03018886

Timeline

  1. 44 residue GHRH isolated from a human pancreatic tumour and sequenced Source sentenceScience 1982 Nov 052 Science 1982
  2. hGRF(1-29)NH2 among C-terminally shortened analogues tested on rat pituitary cells Source sentenceBiochem Biophys Res Commun 1984 Sep 1719 Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1984
  3. Breakdown of GRF(1-29)-NH2 in porcine plasma measured, GRF(3-29)-NH2 identified Source sentenceHorm Metab Res 1991 Jan4 Horm Metab Res 1991
  4. Pituitary GHRH receptor cloned and expressed Source sentenceMol Endocrinol 1992 Oct3 Mol Endocrinol 1992
  5. Plasma LC-HRMS method for four GHRHs and their metabolites published Source sentenceAnal Bioanal Chem 2016, epub 15 Feb 20165 Anal Bioanal Chem 2016
  6. Capillary electrophoresis method separates sermorelin and CJC-1293 Source sentenceElectrophoresis 2023, epub 27 Feb 202316 Electrophoresis 2023
  7. Nano LC Orbitrap urine method for GHRH analogues and the sermorelin metabolite published Source sentenceJ Pharm Biomed Anal 2026 Jan 158 J Pharm Biomed Anal 2026

Integrity notes

  • PubMed comment and correction links and Crossref update records were checked on 25 Oct 2026 for the studies and reviews on this page: no retraction, correction or expression of concern was found. Source sentenceefetch CommentsCorrections: none of type ErratumIn, RetractionIn or ExpressionOfConcernIn for the 16 PMIDs on this page; Crossref works: no updated-by or update-to records for their DOIs (25 Oct 2026)9 PubMed search for sermorelin, GRF(1-29) or GHRH(1-29), 25 October 2026
  • NCT03018886 was first posted on ClinicalTrials.gov on 12 Jan 2017, more than eight years after its stated completion in December 2008. Source sentencestudyFirstPostDate 2017-01-12; completionDate 2008-12 ACTUAL; startDate 2001-0511 NCT03018886

Chemistry and records

Sermorelin: sequence, mass, CAS and regulatory record in the research library →

Sources

  1. 1PubChem CID 16132413 accessed 25 Oct 2026
  2. 2Science 1982 accessed 25 Oct 2026
  3. 3Mol Endocrinol 1992 accessed 25 Oct 2026
  4. 4Horm Metab Res 1991 accessed 25 Oct 2026
  5. 5Anal Bioanal Chem 2016 accessed 25 Oct 2026
  6. 6Drug Test Anal 2021 accessed 25 Oct 2026
  7. 7J Pharm Biomed Anal 2022 accessed 25 Oct 2026
  8. 8J Pharm Biomed Anal 2026 accessed 25 Oct 2026
  9. 9PubMed search for sermorelin, GRF(1-29) or GHRH(1-29), 25 October 2026 accessed 25 Oct 2026
  10. 10ClinicalTrials.gov searches for sermorelin, 25 October 2026 accessed 25 Oct 2026
  11. 11NCT03018886 accessed 25 Oct 2026
  12. 12PubMed searches for tests of sermorelin products, 25 October 2026 accessed 25 Oct 2026
  13. 13PubChem CID 91820622 accessed 25 Oct 2026
  14. 14PubChem CID 16132353 accessed 25 Oct 2026
  15. 15PubChem CID 16137828 accessed 25 Oct 2026
  16. 16Electrophoresis 2023 accessed 25 Oct 2026
  17. 17Drug Test Anal 2019 accessed 25 Oct 2026
  18. 18Int J Pediatr Endocrinol 2010 accessed 25 Oct 2026
  19. 19Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1984 accessed 25 Oct 2026
  20. 20WADA Prohibited List 2026 (Internet Archive capture of 24 September 2026) accessed 25 Oct 2026
  21. 21Endocrinology 1999 accessed 25 Oct 2026
  22. 22openFDA Drugs@FDA query for sermorelin, 25 October 2026 accessed 25 Oct 2026
  23. 23FDA, 503A bulk drug substance categories, updated 14 May 2026 (Internet Archive capture of 21 October 2026) accessed 25 Oct 2026
  24. 24Neuropeptides 2009 accessed 25 Oct 2026
  25. 25Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 1997 accessed 25 Oct 2026
  26. 26Anal Bioanal Chem 2016, full text (conflict of interest statement) accessed 25 Oct 2026
  27. 27BioDrugs 1999 accessed 25 Oct 2026
  28. 28FDA Global Substance Registration System, UNII 89243S03TE accessed 25 Oct 2026
  29. 29FDA Global Substance Registration System, UNII 00IBG87IQW accessed 25 Oct 2026

About this page

Research-use information. This library summarises published literature and regulator records. It is not guidance for use, not medical advice, and not a statement that any material is suitable for use in people or animals.

Reviewed by the Peptency editorial process. Version 1, last edited 25 October 2026, 29 sources.

Cite this page: Peptency Academy. Sermorelin: GRF(1-29) amide chemistry, studies and status. Version 1./us/academy/compounds/sermorelin/