How to Store IGF-1: Temperature, Shelf Life & Handling
Storage requirements for IGF-1 follow from what the molecule actually is — 70-residue single-chain protein (native igf-1), three disulfide bonds. The conditions below reflect that chemistry rather than generic peptide guidance.
Overview
Treat it as a delicate protein: freezer sealed, fridge once mixed, and split into single-use portions because freezing it again damages it for good.
What IGF-1 actually is
The natural growth factor the body produces after growth hormone acts — a folded protein, not a simple peptide, studied for muscle and tissue signalling. This is the native form, different from the longer-acting LR3 version.
Supplied for laboratory research use only — not for human or animal use.
Third-party tested by HPLC and LC-MS, ≥99% purity, with a Certificate of Analysis on every order. Ships across Canada.
Technical detail below
Storage conditions for IGF-1
Why these conditions, specifically
Damaged protein weighs the same and looks the same as intact protein. Chemical purity cannot tell you whether the fold survived — which is why a bioactivity or bioidentity assay is the meaningful COA figure for this molecule.
The main route to be aware of: misfolding and irreversible denaturation — the dominant failure mode.
All 3 degradation routes for IGF-1Freeze–thaw
Poorly tolerant. Repeated freeze-thaw denatures the folded structure permanently, so aliquot for single use rather than relying on any freeze tolerance.
What IGF-1 is studied for
Studied as the native ligand for the IGF-1 receptor and its downstream proliferation and survival pathways.
Examined in muscle research models for its role in satellite-cell behaviour and anabolic signalling.
Compared with IGF-1 LR3, whose reduced binding-protein affinity gives a longer active window — a contrast studied directly in the literature.
Summarizes published preclinical literature. Provided for research reference only; not a claim of efficacy or a description of human use.
More IGF-1 reference
Diluent selection, dissolution behaviour, and the calculator preset for this compound.
Which solvents work, why, and what abnormal dissolution behaviour indicates.
The specific chemical routes by which this molecule breaks down, and how to limit each.
Which assays are informative for this molecule, and what to actually check on its COA.
Compound-specific bench practices, and the errors most often made with this molecule.
What to inspect on arrival, and which conditions actually warrant rejecting a vial.
Questions specific to this compound — structure, chemistry, and common misconceptions.
Storage reference for other compounds
IGF-1 is supplied strictly as a research chemical for in-vitro laboratory and research use only. It is not intended for human or animal consumption, diagnostic, or therapeutic use. This page is educational laboratory-handling reference information — not medical advice, not usage guidance, and not a protocol.