SARMs in Research: Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators
Selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) are non-steroidal ligands designed to activate the androgen receptor in muscle and bone with reduced activity in prostate and skin — at least in idealised preclinical profiles. They occupy a distinct shelf from both injectable oils and classic oral AAS on kiwibiolab.com.
This overview supports research planning and education only. SARM products are not for human consumption.
Why SARMs Matter in the Lab
Traditional androgens activate the AR broadly. SARMs were developed to explore tissue-selective signalling — relevant to:
- Sarcopenia and disuse atrophy models
- Osteoporosis and bone-mineral-density endpoints
- Cachexia substudies where full androgen load is undesirable
- Receptor pharmacology (partial agonism, co-regulator recruitment)
WADA and sports bodies ban SARMs in competition; research use remains institution-dependent and must follow ethics and import rules.
Core SARM Reference Compounds
| Compound | Alias | Listing | Common research focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| MK-2866 | Ostarine | 25mg | Muscle preservation; bone density |
| RAD-140 | Testolone | 20mg | Potent AR agonism in lean mass models |
| LGD-4033 | Ligandrol | 12mg | Strength and lean-mass endpoints |
| GW501516 | Cardarine | 20mg | PPARδ pathway (often classed with SARMs commercially) |
| SR9009 | Stenabolic | 15mg | Rev-Erb agonist; endurance metabolism |
| YK11 | — | 5mg | Myostatin-related signalling (preclinical) |
Note: GW501516 and SR9009 are not classical SARMs mechanistically, but appear alongside them in catalogues for metabolic and endurance research.
SARMs vs Peptides vs Steroid Oils
| Class | Example from Kiwi Biolab | Primary target |
|---|---|---|
| SARM | Ostarine 25mg | Androgen receptor (non-steroidal) |
| Peptide | BPC-157 5mg | Growth/repair signalling peptides |
| Oil | Testosterone cypionate 300mg/ml | Steroid hormone (esterified) |
Multi-arm studies should document mechanistic class in ethics submissions to avoid reviewer confusion.
Dose Standardisation Tips
- Match labelled mg per capsule to your published dose (mg/kg in animals).
- Store orals dry, cool, and away from light per SOP.
- Request CoA for lot-specific purity when available.
- Compare SARM arms against oral AAS or oil benchmarks only when ethics explicitly allows multiple drug classes.
New Zealand Procurement Advantages
Ordering SARMs from offshore grey-market sites risks adulteration, mislabelling, and import delays. Kiwi Biolabs provides:
- NZ-owned operations and NZD checkout
- The same quality ethos (independent testing culture) as the peptide line
- Domestic discreet shipping
- One account for SARMs, PCT ancillaries, and metabolic peptides
Summary
SARMs and SARM-adjacent compounds support tissue-selective androgen and metabolic endurance research. New Zealand laboratories can source MK-2866 (Ostarine), RAD-140, and related references from kiwibiolab.com with local support and clear tablet strengths.
Disclaimer: For laboratory and research use only. Not for human consumption. Verify institutional approval before conducting SARM research.