YK-11 (CAPSULES)

YK-11

YK-11 is a synthetic steroidal compound built on a 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) backbone, with a modified D-ring carrying a methyl ester side chain. It was first reported by a Japanese research group in 2011 as a partial agonist of the androgen receptor (AR) with gene-selective activity. Its steroid skeleton sets it apart from the nonsteroidal SARMs such as enobosarm, LGD-4033 and RAD-140.

Product Specifications

• Product: YK-11
• Amount: See available options above
• Form: Capsules (dry fill), shipped in a sealed mylar pouch
• Purity: Third-party tested by an ISO 17025 U.S. laboratory. See the batch Certificate of Analysis (COA) on this page.
• Storage: Keep sealed at room temperature (20–25°C), away from heat, moisture and light.
• Ships from: United States, 2-day UPS

Chemical Profile

• Compound class: Synthetic steroidal SARM (DHT-derived partial androgen receptor agonist)
• Molecular formula: C₂₅H₃₄O₆
• Molecular weight: 430.5 g/mol
• CAS number: 1370003-76-1

What researchers study

The androgen receptor is a ligand-activated transcription factor. On binding an agonist it changes shape, moves to the nucleus and recruits coactivators to androgen response elements. Full agonists such as DHT trigger an interaction between the receptor’s N-terminal and C-terminal domains (the N/C interaction). The original YK-11 reports described it as activating AR transcription without inducing this N/C interaction, which is the basis for describing it as a gene-selective, partial agonist.

Research topics include:

• AR mechanism: reporter-gene assays in transfected cell lines comparing YK-11 with DHT, and studies of coactivator recruitment and N/C interaction.
• Myogenic cell models: differentiation of mouse C2C12 myoblasts, where YK-11 was reported to raise expression of follistatin, a myostatin-binding protein, and of myogenic regulatory factors.
• Osteoblast models: AR-dependent signaling in MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblast cells.
• Analytical and anti-doping chemistry: metabolism and detection studies, since the compound is unstable and is extensively broken down in biological samples.

The published literature on YK-11 is small and almost entirely limited to cell culture and a few animal studies.

Regulatory status

YK-11 is not approved by the FDA for any use and has not been evaluated as a drug. It is listed by the World Anti-Doping Agency under S1.2 (other anabolic agents). The FDA has warned that SARMs are not approved drugs and that products containing them cannot lawfully be sold as dietary supplements. The material sold here is a research reagent only.

Quality & Documentation

Every batch of YK-11 is made in small runs for Rogue Compounds and tested by an independent U.S. laboratory for identity (mass spectrometry) and purity (HPLC). The batch Certificate of Analysis is posted on this page and in our COA Library, so the vial in your lab can be matched to its report.

Research overview

For a longer look at YK-11, covering where it came from, what cell and animal studies have measured, and what the evidence does not show, read our YK-11 research overview. It is written as background reading, and every study it cites is linked to PubMed.

Selected literature

• Kanno Y, et al. Selective androgen receptor modulator, YK11, regulates myogenic differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts by follistatin expression. Biol Pharm Bull. 2013;36(9):1460-5. PMID 23995658
• Flores JE, et al. Drug-Induced Liver Injury by Selective Androgenic Receptor Modulators. Hepatol Commun. 2020;4(3):450-452. PMID 32140660

Research Use Only

This product is sold strictly as a research chemical for in-vitro laboratory and analytical use by qualified professionals. It is not a drug, dietary supplement, food, or cosmetic, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Not for human or veterinary use. Rogue Compounds does not provide dosing, preparation, or usage instructions. The literature on this page is listed for scientific background only and does not describe this product or any use of it.