COMPOUND

Compounds / Bioregulators

Testagen

Testagen (Lys-Glu-Asp-Gly / KEDG Tetrapeptide)

Bioregulators SubQ · Oral Not FDA approved

Khavinson family bioregulator developed at the Saint Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology. Synthetic tetrapeptide marketed as a testicular / Leydig-cell bioregulator, claimed to support endogenous testosterone production. Most efficacy data is from one Russian lab; independent Western replication is limited. NOT a gonadotropin (HCG/LH/FSH analog) and NOT testosterone: claimed to act at the testicular tissue level rather than via the HPTA axis.

At a glance

Routes
SubQ · Oral
Vial sizes
20 mg
Evidence base
2 studies 1 human · 1 preclinical

Mechanism

Per the Khavinson 'short-peptide bioregulator' hypothesis, KEDG is proposed to enter Leydig cells and bind specific DNA promoter regions, upregulating steroidogenesis genes. Mechanism is contested in mainstream pharmacology because tetrapeptides are normally degraded in serum within minutes; no receptor-binding pharmacology has been characterized. Reported clinical effect: increased serum total testosterone in men with chronic abacterial prostatitis and androgenic deficiency (small Russian-language pilots).

Dosing

Any amounts shown here are reported from published studies only. 1 of 2 catalogued studies involved human subjects. COMPOUND does not publish its own dosing guidance.

Published evidence

  1. Human pilot 2010

    Russian-language clinical reports on chronic abacterial prostatitis with androgen deficiency

    Khavinson VK et al. Adv Gerontol / Bull Exp Biol Med

    36-patient open-label trial reported reduced prostate inflammation markers, improved uroflowmetry, and modest serum total testosterone increase after 1 month of Testagen.

  2. In vitro 2012

    Tetrapeptide KEDG and gene expression of pituitary cells (Russian)

    Khavinson VK, Lin'kova NS, et al. Adv Gerontol / Bull Exp Biol Med

    KEDG demonstrated effects on pituitary cell gene expression in vitro; mechanism support for endocrine modulation.

Reported side effects

Increased libido / mood elevation
Occasional Mild · Reported anecdotally; consistent with claimed Leydig-cell mechanism.
Long-term safety unverified outside Russia
Unknown Mild · Khavinson group reports no significant AEs; small samples and no Western replication.

Interactions

  • HCG Synergy

    HCG stimulates Leydig cells via LH receptor; Testagen claimed to act on Leydig-cell gene expression; combined effect not characterized.

  • Enclomiphene Redundant

    Both target endogenous testosterone production (Enclomiphene via SERM; Testagen via claimed Leydig gene modulation).

Reconstitution and storage

20 mg vial; 2-5 mL BAC water. At 4 mg/mL, 100 mcg = 0.025 mL.

Lyophilized: room temp short-term, refrigerate for >30 days. Reconstituted: refrigerate, use within 30 days.

Open the reconstitution calculator for Testagen