Mechano Growth Factor · IGF-1Ec
Splice variant of IGF-1 — satellite cell activation for muscle repair.
FDA
Research Only
WADA
Banned
HALF-LIFE
Minutes (native), longer (PEGylated)
ROUTE
IM injection
SCHEDULE
Post-workout
In Plain English
Splice variant of IGF-1 — satellite cell activation for muscle repair.
Status & Legality
NATTY?
Not NattyWADA banned substance. Tested athletes will fail.
FDA
Research OnlyFor research purposes only. Not FDA approved.
WADA
BannedOn WADA prohibited list. Use disqualifies in tested sports.
COMPOUNDING
Not from pharmaciesNot available from licensed compounding pharmacies.
PRESCRIBED
Not prescribedNot prescribed in conventional medicine.
ROUTE
IM injectionAdministration via im injection.
Satellite cell activation
Muscle repair
Post-workout recovery
Hypertrophy
Mechano Growth Factor is an isoform of IGF-1 (IGF-1Ec) expressed locally in muscle tissue in response to mechanical load. It activates quiescent satellite cells — the muscle stem cells — to repair and grow muscle fibers. It acts before IGF-1 LR3 in the muscle growth cascade.
Hypoglycemia (mild)
Injection site soreness
Headache
Injecting anywhere other than the trained muscle — localized satellite cell activation requires injection at the specific site of mechanical load
Not injecting immediately post-workout — the window for maximum MGF effectiveness is narrow; within 30 minutes of training is standard
Using MGF without following up with IGF-1 LR3 — MGF activates satellite cells but doesn't drive protein synthesis; LR3 completes the growth cascade
Insulin — mild hypoglycemia risk; have carbohydrates available post-injection
IGF-1 LR3 — sequential use (MGF first, LR3 30–60 min later) is the optimal protocol; complementary not competitive
GH secretagogues — generally safe; complementary anabolic signaling mechanisms
MGF is the satellite cell primer — it activates the muscle stem cells that respond to mechanical load. Use it immediately post-workout into the trained muscles, then follow with IGF-1 LR3 30–60 minutes later. This sequence artificially replicates the natural muscle growth signaling cascade more completely than either compound alone.
Stats
Sources & Studies
Yang SY. et al., J Physiol, 2004