The short version of WADA prohibited list fits in a sentence. The long version — which is the one that helps — is below.
This page was last updated on 2026-03-21 and is reviewed periodically as new material appears.
Regulatory status: AOD-9604 is not approved as a therapeutic drug in the United States, European Union, or other major markets. It is listed by the World Anti-Doping Agency as a prohibited substance in sport, specifically under growth hormone fragments. Many jurisdictions restrict its sale for human consumption. Products marketed online may not meet pharmaceutical quality standards. The legal status varies by country and often depends on whether the material is presented as a research chemical, supplement, or drug.
Detection and characterization of AOD-9604 in research and anti-doping settings typically rely on mass spectrometry coupled with liquid chromatography. These methods can identify the peptide by its mass and fragmentation pattern. Immunoassays may also be used in some screening contexts, but they can cross-react with related peptides. Because the molecule is small and may be present at low concentrations, sample preparation and method validation are important. Confirmatory analysis usually requires comparison with a certified reference standard.
In laboratory settings, AOD-9604 is commonly supplied as a lyophilized powder and stored cold to limit degradation. Reconstituted solutions are typically kept refrigerated or frozen, depending on the buffer and concentration, and protected from repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Stability can be influenced by pH, temperature, and the presence of proteases. Purity is usually assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. These practices support reproducibility, but they do not imply safety or efficacy for any human use.
AOD-9604 is a synthetic peptide whose structure corresponds to a C-terminal segment of human growth hormone. It is often described as hGH fragment 176-191, a 16-amino-acid sequence. The peptide was designed to isolate a region of hGH associated with fat metabolism while avoiding the full hormone's growth-promoting actions. Laboratory and commercial materials typically present it as a lyophilized powder for research use. Its identity is defined by amino acid sequence, not by a single brand.
The fragment includes residues that can form an internal disulfide bond between two cysteine positions. This structural feature can influence how the peptide folds and how stable it is in solution. AOD-9604 differs from full-length hGH in size and receptor interactions; it does not contain the entire growth hormone sequence. Published descriptions sometimes use slightly different residue numbering, so sequence information should be checked against primary sources. The molecule is small compared with intact hGH, which affects analytical detection and purification approaches.
| Property | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Regulatory status | Not approved as a medicine | Status varies by country; prohibited in sport. |
| Common storage temperature | 2–8 °C for lyophilized powder | Protect from light and moisture; follow supplier instructions. |
| Typical analytical method | LC-MS/MS | Used for identification and quantification in biological samples. |
| Purity assessment | HPLC and mass spectrometry | Reverse-phase HPLC is common for peptide purity. |
| Common synonyms | AOD9604; hGH 176-191 fragment | Naming conventions differ across studies. |
Regulatory bodies have taken different approaches to AOD-9604. It is not approved as a prescription medicine by major agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or the European Medicines Agency. In sport, the World Anti-Doping Agency prohibits peptide hormones, growth factors, and related substances, and AOD-9604 has been treated as a prohibited substance. These regulatory decisions reflect concerns about safety, efficacy, and potential misuse rather than proof of benefit.
Research on AOD-9604 also examines how the peptide is measured in biological samples. Analytical methods may include liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, immunoassays, or both. Detection can be challenging because the peptide is small and may be present at low concentrations. Published methods vary in sensitivity and specificity, so comparative interpretation requires attention to validation details. The presence of related hGH fragments can complicate identification in some matrices.
AOD-9604 is listed as a prohibited substance in sport by the World Anti-Doping Agency. It falls under the peptide hormones, growth factors, related substances, and mimetics class on the prohibited list. Anti-doping organizations treat its presence in an athlete's sample as an adverse finding unless a therapeutic use exemption applies. The prohibition reflects concerns about performance enhancement in competitive settings and the difficulty of distinguishing exogenous peptide use from endogenous hormone fragments.
Detection of AOD-9604 in biological samples relies on analytical techniques capable of distinguishing a small synthetic peptide from related endogenous sequences. Liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry is commonly used for confirmatory analysis. Sample preparation may involve immunoaffinity enrichment or solid-phase extraction to concentrate the peptide. Because the molecule is small and may be present at low concentrations, assay sensitivity and specificity are ongoing analytical challenges. Laboratories also validate methods against reference materials when available.
Regulatory interest in AOD-9604 increased after high-profile anti-doping cases involving peptide products. In some cases, the substance was supplied under alternative names or in compounded preparations, complicating traceability. Sports tribunals and anti-doping panels have discussed whether the peptide was explicitly banned at the time of use, leading to clarifications by the World Anti-Doping Agency. For consumers and researchers, the legal status can vary by jurisdiction, and products marketed as research chemicals may lack independent quality verification.
Several names appear in scientific and commercial settings. AOD9604 and AOD-9604 are development codes used interchangeably, while hGH fragment 176-191 describes the same region. The peptide includes a disulfide bond between two cysteine residues, which helps shape its three-dimensional structure. Different suppliers may provide acetate or other salt forms, and purity can vary. These differences matter because analytical tests and biological assays can respond to the specific form being studied.
Early interest in AOD-9604 centered on whether a fragment of human growth hormone could influence fat metabolism without the broader effects of the full hormone. Cell and animal studies reported changes in fat storage and breakdown. Human trials followed, but the results were not strong enough to secure regulatory approval. The compound remains available for laboratory research, and its clinical potential is still described as uncertain. Studies continue to examine its activity and safety profile.
AOD-9604 is a synthetic peptide that corresponds to a short section of human growth hormone. It is commonly identified as hGH fragment 176-191 because its sequence matches residues at the C-terminal end of the hormone. The molecule contains sixteen amino acids and is made by solid-phase peptide synthesis. Researchers study it for metabolic effects rather than for the growth-promoting actions associated with full human growth hormone. Its small size distinguishes it from the complete 191-amino-acid hormone.
=== Children === Its use in children is generally advised against, although it may be done under the supervision of a specialist. On 21 September 2015, the FDA started investigating the safety of tramadol in use in persons under the age of 17. The investigation was initiated because some of these people have experienced slowed or difficult breathing. The FDA lists age under 12 years old as a contraindication.
=== Politicians and administrators === Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (Gere/Fulani) – Nigerian politician and the first prime minister of an independent Nigeria. Ahmadu Bello – Sardauna of Sokoto and first premier of Northern Region of Nigeria. Shehu Shagari – Turaki of Sokoto and the first elected president of Nigeria. Major-General Mohammadu Buhari – former president and former Head of State of Nigeria. Umaru Musa Yar'Adua – former president of Nigeria. Namadi Sambo - former vice president of Nigeria Aminu Kano – politician and teacher. Atiku Abubakar – former vice president of Nigeria. Muhammadu Abubakar Rimi – former governor of Kano State, politician. Rabiu Kwankwaso – former governor of Kano State, Nigeria, former minister of defence. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje – former governor of Kano State, Nigeria. Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai – former governor of Kaduna State, former minister of federal capital. Isa Yuguda - economist, former Minister of Aviation, former governor of Bauchi State. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu – former governor of Kebbi State, Senate Second Republic, Nigeria. Sule Lamido – former governor of Jigawa State, Nigeria, former minister of foreign affairs. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko – former governor of Sokoto State and current senator of Sokoto North. Danbaba Suntai - former governor Of Taraba State. Dikko Umar Radda - Governor of Katsina State. Gidado Idris – former secretary to the Government of The Federation. Muhammadu Dikko Yusufu - former Inspector General of Police.
== United States == In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined that while such tests qualify as medical devices, these products could enter the market without prior approval from the agency. In 2014, the FDA announced that it would start regulating some LDTs. In general, however, it has not done so, as of April 2019. As LDTs do not require FDA 510(k) clearance required by other diagnostic tests, they have been viewed as a regulatory loophole by opponents.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
In October 2025, Hegseth implemented a new Pentagon press policy requiring journalists to pledge not to solicit or use unauthorized material, including unclassified information, or risk losing access to the building. The policy, which critics argued posed a threat to press freedom and First Amendment protections, was widely rejected by the media. Nearly all major US news organizations, including ABC, CNN, Fox News, The New York Times, and The Washington Post, refused to sign the agreement, citing concerns over press restrictions and government transparency. The only outlet to comply with the policy was One America News Network. In March 2026, the Pentagon, reportedly at the behest of Hegseth began banning photographers from press briefings due to "unflattering" photos of the secretary. The Pentagon responded, "In order to use space in the Pentagon Briefing Room effectively, we are allowing one representative per news outlet," according to Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson. "Photographs from the briefings are immediately released online for the public and press to use. If that hurts the business model for certain news outlets, then they should consider applying for a Pentagon press credential." Several news outlets reported that Pentagon staffers said Hegseth did not like some of the photos that had been published.
== Campus == Morgan has an over 100-acre sprawling campus in the northeast neighborhood of Baltimore city. The campus is surrounded by residential suburbs with Lake Montebello to the south. The university's campus is designated as a national historic site for preservation by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
=== Surfactant peptides === Surfactant–like peptides that undergo self-assembly in water to form nanotubes and nanovesicles have been designed using natural lipids as guides. This class of peptides has a hydrophilic head (with one or two charged amino acids such as aspartic or glutamic acids, or lysine or histidine acids) with a hydrophobic tail (with 4 or more hydrophobic amino acids such as alanine, valine, or leucine). The peptide monomers are about 2-3 nm long and consist of seven or eight amino acids; the peptide length can be adjusted by adding or removing acids. In water, surfactant peptides undergo self-assembling to form well-ordered nanotubes and nanovesicles of 30–50 nm through intermolecular hydrogen bonds and the packing of the hydrophobic tails in between the residues, like micelle formation. Transmission electron microscopy examination on quick-frozen samples of surfactant-peptide structures showed helical open-ended nanotubes. The samples also showed dynamic behaviours and some vesicle "buds" sprouting out of the peptide nanotubes.
The Young's modulus of a single protein can be found through molecular dynamics simulation. Using either atomistic force-fields, such as CHARMM or GROMOS, or coarse-grained forcefields like Martini, a single protein molecule can be stretched by a uniaxial force while the resulting extension is recorded in order to calculate the strain. Experimentally, methods such as atomic force microscopy can be used to obtain similar data. The internal dynamics of proteins involve subtle elastic and plastic deformations induced by viscoelastic forces, which can be probed by nano-rheology techniques. At the macroscopic level, the Young's modulus of cross-linked protein networks can be obtained through more traditional mechanical testing. Experimentally observed values for a few proteins can be seen below.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
No major regulatory agency has approved AOD-9604 as a medicine. It is treated as an experimental peptide in research settings. Some countries restrict its sale or import.
The World Anti-Doping Agency classifies growth hormone fragments, including AOD-9604, as prohibited substances. The classification reflects concern about potential performance-enhancing use. Athletes are subject to testing for such peptides.
Detection typically uses liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry. These methods separate the peptide and identify it by mass. Immunoassays may screen samples but require confirmation by a more specific technique.
It is a synthetic peptide based on a C-terminal fragment of human growth hormone. It is commonly referred to as hGH fragment 176-191 and is studied for metabolic effects rather than growth effects.