The Somatotropic Axis in Research
Growth hormone secretagogues are peptides studied for their ability to stimulate the somatotropic axis in laboratory and animal models. Researchers use them to investigate how the pituitary releases growth hormone, and how downstream IGF-1 signalling responds. Because different classes act at different points in this axis, they serve as complementary tools for dissecting hormonal-release mechanisms.
Two broad families dominate this research: growth-hormone-releasing peptides (GHRPs) and growth-hormone-releasing-hormone (GHRH) analogs. GHRPs act on the ghrelin receptor to trigger pulsatile release, while GHRH analogs mimic the hypothalamic hormone that stimulates the pituitary directly. A third tool, IGF-1 LR3, is a long-acting IGF-1 variant used to study effects downstream of growth hormone itself.
This pillar compares the secretagogues most often studied and links each to its product page. Every compound from Amino Labs is lyophilized, 99%+ HPLC-verified, third-party tested and shipped across Canada via Purolator. All material is for research use only, not for human or animal consumption.
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Secretagogues & IGF Peptides Compared
The table below groups these compounds by mechanism class. Follow each link for full specifications.
| Compound | Class | Research focus |
|---|---|---|
| Ipamorelin 10mg | GHRP (ghrelin-receptor) | Selective, pulsatile GH-release models |
| CJC-1295 no DAC 10mg | GHRH analog (short-acting) | Pituitary GH-release research, often paired with GHRPs |
| Sermorelin 10mg | GHRH analog | Foundational GHRH-pathway studies |
| Tesamorelin 10mg | GHRH analog (stabilized) | Metabolic and GH-axis research models |
| IGF-1 LR3 1mg | Long-acting IGF-1 variant | Downstream IGF-1 signalling research |
The GHRP and GHRH classes act on different receptors, which is why researchers frequently study a GHRP such as Ipamorelin alongside a GHRH analog like CJC-1295 no DAC to explore synergistic pituitary release. Sermorelin is the foundational GHRH sequence, while Tesamorelin is a stabilized analog studied in metabolic contexts. IGF-1 LR3 sits further downstream, letting researchers isolate IGF-1 effects independent of the release cascade. Together these compounds span the full axis from hypothalamic signal to peripheral IGF-1 activity.
Choosing & Handling Secretagogues
Researchers select secretagogues by where in the somatotropic axis their protocol focuses. GHRPs such as Ipamorelin model ghrelin-receptor-driven pulsatile release; GHRH analogs like Sermorelin, CJC-1295 and Tesamorelin model direct pituitary stimulation; and IGF-1 LR3 isolates downstream signalling. GHRP and GHRH compounds are often studied together because their combined action can be greater than either alone.
Handling follows standard peptide practice. Store lyophilized vials cold and protected from light, reconstitute with bacteriostatic water using a dedicated reconstitution kit, and label each solution with concentration and date. IGF-1 LR3 is particularly sensitive, so prepare aliquots to minimise freeze-thaw cycles and record lot numbers for every experiment.
HPLC-verified, third-party-tested material from a Canadian-owned supplier keeps batch variability low, which matters when comparing hormonal-release responses across models. All compounds are for research use only, not for human or animal consumption.