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Longevitypreclinical

GDF-11

Growth Differentiation Factor 11
Longevity
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Category
Longevity
Evidence grade
D
PubMed records
658
Female-tagged
112
Sex-analysis
0
CAS
—
D
Evidence grade D, Preclinical / animal evidence only across 658 indexed studies. No human trial data. How grades work →
Female evidence: None
GDF-11: of 658 PubMed records, 112 are tagged as including female subjects and 0 carry a sex-analysis tag.Counts reflect PubMed records as of 2026-07-21. “Female” uses the Female MeSH filter and “sex-analysis” the Sex Factors MeSH filter, automated proxies pending manual study-level review. Methodology →

Overview

GDF-11, or growth differentiation factor 11, is a member of the TGF-beta superfamily that drew intense research interest as a candidate signaling molecule in the biology of aging. Its close structural relationship to myostatin (GDF-8) also made it a point of careful methodological study, since distinguishing the two has been a recurring research challenge.

In preclinical models, GDF-11 has been studied for its association with tissue, cardiac, and age-related signaling, often in parabiosis and circulating-factor paradigms. Researchers examining aging and regeneration have used it as a research material while actively debating its precise effects.

For a longevity catalog, GDF-11 is notable both as a compelling candidate and as a cautionary example of how contested a signaling molecule can be. Whether its mechanisms translate the same way across female physiology remains an open research question; our evidence review tracks how many of the underlying studies included women.

Summary

GDF-11 is a TGF-β-family protein studied for contested roles in aging and tissue rejuvenation. It is not an established human therapy; the literature is preclinical, its rejuvenation claims remain disputed, and as a research protein it is administered only in cell and animal models, with no female-specific compound data.

Evidence in women

Menstrual cycle
Unstudied
No study relates GDF-11 to the menstrual cycle.
Pregnancy & lactation
Unstudied
No data on GDF-11 as an administered compound in pregnancy or lactation.
Hormonal interactions
Unstudied
No controlled data on reproductive- or thyroid-hormone interactions.
Perimenopause & menopause
Unstudied
Interest in aging exists, but no menopause-specific intervention data.
Sex differences
Unstudied
Preclinical studies did not establish sex-specific outcomes for it as a compound.

Mechanism

Signals through activin type II receptors and SMAD2/3, closely related to myostatin, with debated effects on aging tissues.

Reported dosing & routes

◐

We don't give dosing or medical advice. The figures below describe what was used in published research, not a recommendation. Decide with your clinician.

Reported range (literature)No established human dose; used as a research protein in preclinical (cell and animal) models only.
Routessubcutaneous, intraperitoneal
Female-specific dosingNot established

Contraindications: insufficient human data to characterize

Side effects

Reported in the research literature. Sex-specific incidence has not been separately analysed in the available records.

insufficient human data to characterize

GDF-11 reconstitution calculator

Enter this vial's amount, the bacteriostatic water you add, and a target amount to get the concentration and the U-100 syringe units to draw. Handling arithmetic for research use, not a dose recommendation.

Reconstitution

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Draw for GDF-11

5
units on a U-100 insulin syringe
020406080100
U-100 insulin syringe — 1 mL = 100 units
That's 0.05 mL drawn to the 5-unit mark.
Concentration5 mg/mL (5,000 mcg/mL)
Volume to draw0.05 mL
Doses per vial40

Reference chart at 5 mg/mL

Target amountVolume (mL)U-100 units
100 mcg0.02 mL2
250 mcg0.05 mL5
500 mcg0.1 mL10
750 mcg0.15 mL15
1000 mcg0.2 mL20

Research-use arithmetic only. This tool converts a vial amount, diluent volume, and a target amount into a concentration and syringe draw for laboratory handling. It is not dosing guidance, a recommendation, or a claim of safety or efficacy, and it does not account for overfill, dead space, or peptide purity. Nothing here is medical advice. “U-100” means 100 units = 1 mL; confirm your syringe graduation before measuring. See the reconstitution & storage handbook for handling detail.

Frequently asked questions

Answers drawn only from GDF-11's research facts and, where reviewed, its sex-disaggregated evidence. Nothing here is medical advice, dosing, or a claim of safety or efficacy.

What is GDF-11?

GDF-11, also known as Growth Differentiation Factor 11, is a research compound in our longevity category. GDF-11 is a TGF-β-family protein studied for contested roles in aging and tissue rejuvenation.

Is GDF-11 studied in women?

GDF-11: of 658 PubMed records, 112 are tagged as including female subjects and 0 carry a sex-analysis tag. We grade this none: no PubMed record for GDF-11 is tagged as including female subjects, so its effects in women are effectively unstudied. That blank is the finding, not a safety signal, and we do not fill it with guesses.

Has GDF-11 been studied during pregnancy or breastfeeding?

Unstudied. No data on GDF-11 as an administered compound in pregnancy or lactation. This is not a safety clearance or a recommendation. Vera, our research chat, deliberately hard-stops on pregnancy, breastfeeding, and trying-to-conceive questions rather than answer them.

What evidence grade does GDF-11 have, and why?

GDF-11 carries evidence grade D. Preclinical / animal evidence only across 658 indexed studies. No human trial data.. Grades are derived from the research record, never hand-assigned; see how grades work.

Is there a female-specific dose for GDF-11?

No. A female-specific dose for GDF-11 is not established, and this site does not provide dosing or medical advice. Any figures we show describe what published research used, not a recommendation. Decide anything about use with a qualified clinician.

How is GDF-11 administered in research?

In the published literature, GDF-11 is administered via subcutaneous, intraperitoneal. Reported dose ranges on the Dosing tab describe what studies used for laboratory research, not a protocol for people. We don't provide dosing.

What side effects have been reported for GDF-11?

Effects reported in the research literature include insufficient human data to characterize. Sex-specific incidence has not been separately analysed in the available records, so these are not broken out for women.

How should GDF-11 be stored and handled?

GDF-11 sold for research is supplied as a lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder. Lyophilized peptides are generally kept cold and dry, at roughly -20°C for longer-term storage and 2-8°C short-term, protected from light. Once reconstituted they are typically refrigerated and used within a short window, avoiding repeated freeze-thaw cycles. This is general laboratory handling for research use only, not a directive for human use. Always follow the handling and purity details on the product's Certificate of Analysis.

Where can I buy GDF-11 for research?

GDF-11 is not currently listed by our research-use partner, Aurevena Research, but their catalog carries related compounds. Code research15 applies 15% off. We may earn a commission when you purchase through this link, at no extra cost to you. Products are for laboratory research use only.

Browse the Aurevena catalog
Research-use supplier: GDF-11 isn't currently listed by our research-use vendor. Their catalog carries related compounds. Code research15 for 15% off, applied automatically at checkout. We may earn a commission when you purchase through this link, at no extra cost to you. Products are for laboratory research use only.
Browse the catalog →

Citations (PMID)

33933900 · 34520530

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Educational information for laboratory and research use only. Not medical advice, a recommendation, or a claim of safety or efficacy; no personal dosing. “Unstudied” means no qualifying study was found, not that a compound is safe or unsafe.