Sermorelin, designated GHRH(1-29)-NH₂, is a 29-amino acid synthetic polypeptide representing the biologically active N-terminal fragment of human growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). Originally developed by Serono Laboratories, sermorelin was approved by the FDA in 1990 as a diagnostic agent for evaluating growth hormone (GH) deficiency in children, and subsequently in 1997 for the therapeutic treatment of idiopathic GH deficiency in pediatric patients. As the shortest synthetic peptide fragment retaining full biological activity of the native 44-amino acid GHRH, sermorelin has been the subject of extensive peer-reviewed research, with hundreds of publications indexed in PubMed spanning endocrinology, neuroendocrinology, oncology, and aging research.
Sermorelin functions by selectively binding to GHRH receptors (GHRH-R) on anterior pituitary somatotroph cells, stimulating physiological pulsatile GH release through the Gs-cAMP-PKA signaling cascade. Unlike exogenous recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) administration, sermorelin preserves the natural architecture of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, including somatostatin-mediated feedback regulation. Although commercial production under the brand name Geref was discontinued in 2008 due to manufacturing difficulties unrelated to safety or efficacy concerns, sermorelin remains a critically valuable research tool for investigating somatotroph biology, GH axis dynamics, and growth hormone secretagogue pharmacology.
IMPORTANT: This research-grade material is distinct from previously approved pharmaceutical product. For research purposes only. Classified as WADA prohibited substance under category S2.
