What Is Sermorelin?

Introduction:

Sermorelin is a synthetic peptide that acts as a growth hormone–releasing hormone (GHRH) analog, stimulating the pituitary gland to release growth hormone (GH) in a natural, pulsatile manner.¹² Originally developed as a diagnostic tool for assessing GH secretion, it is now studied in research contexts for its potential to modulate the GH–IGF-1 axis.

For research use only — not for human use. All discussion here is based on published scientific and preclinical data.

Fast Facts About Sermorelin

Insert Figure 1: Table of key facts.
ALT: “Table summarizing Sermorelin’s chemical class, mechanism, and research uses.”
Caption: “Figure 1. Basic properties of Sermorelin peptide.”

Property	Details
Peptide Type	Synthetic GHRH analog
Sequence	First 29 amino acids of endogenous GHRH
Primary Target	GHRH receptor on pituitary somatotrophs
Main Effect in Research	Stimulates pulsatile GH release
Half-Life	~10–20 minutes in plasma
First Developed	1980s
Common Study Areas	Endocrine modulation, body composition, aging research

Discovery & Background

Sermorelin is a fragment of naturally occurring GHRH, retaining the portion required to bind and activate the GHRH receptor.³ Developed in the 1980s, it was initially used in endocrinology clinics to assess pituitary function. Because it stimulates GH indirectly (through the hypothalamic–pituitary axis), its effects mimic physiologic GH release patterns more closely than direct GH administration.²⁴

How Sermorelin Works (Brief Overview)

Sermorelin binds to GHRH receptors in the pituitary, activating adenylyl cyclase and increasing cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels. This triggers the synthesis and pulsatile release of GH, which then stimulates the liver and other tissues to produce insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1).¹²

Learn more: See our Sermorelin Mechanism of Action article for detailed pathway diagrams and scientific references.

Research Uses & Potential Applications

Insert Figure 2: Diagram of GH–IGF-1 axis with Sermorelin stimulation point.
ALT: “Diagram showing Sermorelin’s action at the pituitary to release GH.”
Caption: “Figure 2. Sermorelin stimulates GH release via GHRH receptors on the pituitary.”

In research contexts, Sermorelin has been studied for:

Endocrine axis testing — evaluating pituitary GH secretion capacity²
Body composition models — examining lean mass, fat distribution, and metabolic markers³
Aging research — exploring GH modulation in older animal models⁴
Pediatric endocrinology models — studying GH release patterns in growth-related conditions²

Legal & Regulatory Status

FDA Approval: Previously approved for diagnostic testing; no longer marketed for this use in the U.S.
Research Use: Available through peptide suppliers for laboratory and experimental use.
Restrictions: Not approved for therapeutic use in humans outside of sanctioned clinical research.

Summary

Sermorelin is a synthetic GHRH analog that stimulates the pituitary to release GH in a natural, pulsatile fashion. Its selectivity for the GH axis, short half-life, and physiologic release profile have made it a subject of interest in endocrine and aging research. As with all peptides in this category, its use is limited to non-human research.

FAQs About Sermorelin