Comparison
MOTS-c vs Testosterone
Side-by-side of MOTS-c and Testosterone. Every row below is pulled from the compound schema and will update as our data grows. For deeper reads, follow through to each compound page.
MOTS-c
MOTS-c peptide is a 16-amino-acid mitochondrial-derived peptide. Preclinical signals for insulin sensitivity, exercise capacity, dosage notes.
Testosterone
Testosterone replacement therapy for hypogonadism: TRAVERSE 2023 cardiovascular data, cypionate dosing, body composition gains, Schedule III status.
Effects at a glance
MOTS-c
- •16-amino-acid peptide encoded in mitochondrial DNA (12S rRNA region); discovered 2015
- •Activates AMPK in skeletal muscle and liver; improves insulin sensitivity in rodent models
- •Circulating endogenous levels decline with age, motivating the longevity-restoration hypothesis
- •CohBar's MOTS-c analog CB4211 discontinued after phase 1b NASH readout did not meet endpoints
- •Anecdotal protocols use 5 to 10 mg subcutaneously 2 to 3 times weekly
- •Not on the WADA Prohibited List as of 2026; future scrutiny likely given exercise-mimetic mechanism
Testosterone
- •Primary androgen; FDA approved for hypogonadism with confirmed deficiency and symptoms
- •Testosterone Trials (2016) showed sexual function and bone density improvements in older hypogonadal men
- •TRAVERSE 2023 (n=5,246) found non-inferiority on MACE versus placebo, with higher AF and PE rates
- •Schedule III controlled substance in US; WADA banned in sport
- •Aromatizes to estradiol; converts to DHT via 5-alpha reductase; both metabolites matter clinically
- •Erythrocytosis (HCT above 54%) affects 5 to 25% of users and is the most common dose-limiting effect
Side-by-side
| Attribute | MOTS-c | Testosterone |
|---|---|---|
| Category | peptide | hormone |
| Also known as | Mitochondrial Open Reading Frame of the Twelve S rRNA-c, MOTSc | TRT, testosterone replacement therapy, testosterone cypionate, testosterone enanthate, Androgel, Testim |
| Half-life (hr) ↗ | 0.5 | 192 |
| Typical dose (mg) ↗ | 5 | 150 |
| Dosing frequency | 2-3x weekly | weekly to twice-weekly (cypionate/enanthate IM or SC); daily (topical, oral); every 3 to 6 months (pellet) |
| Routes | subcutaneous | intramuscular, subcutaneous, topical, buccal, subcutaneous (pellet), oral |
| Onset (hr) | 1 | 24 |
| Peak (hr) | 4 | 72 |
| Molecular weight | 1880.18 | 288.42 |
| Molecular formula | C82H132N22O25S2 | C19H28O2 |
| Mechanism | Mitochondrial-derived peptide that activates AMPK in skeletal muscle and liver, improves insulin sensitivity, and translocates to the nucleus under metabolic stress to modulate nuclear gene expression in retrograde mitochondrial signaling. | Androgen receptor agonist driving anabolic gene transcription in muscle, bone, brain, and androgen-sensitive tissue. Aromatized to estradiol and 5-alpha-reduced to DHT, both with distinct downstream effects. |
| Legal status | Not FDA approved; research-use-only grey market; not currently on WADA Prohibited List | Schedule III controlled substance (US); WADA banned |
| WADA status | unknown | banned |
| DEA / Rx | Not scheduled (research chemical) | Schedule III |
| Pregnancy | Insufficient data; not recommended | Category X; contraindicated in pregnancy (virilizing effect on female fetus) |
| CAS | 1627580-64-6 | 58-22-0 |
| PubChem CID | 139599184 | 6013 |
| Wikidata | Q24832108 | Q150726 |
Safety profile
MOTS-c
Common side effects
- injection-site irritation
- transient fatigue
- headache (anecdotal)
Contraindications
- pregnancy
- lactation
- active malignancy (theoretical)
- severe hypoglycemia risk on concurrent insulin or sulfonylurea
Interactions
- insulin: additive insulin sensitization may increase hypoglycemia risk(moderate)
- metformin: both activate AMPK; theoretical additive metabolic effect, no controlled data(minor)
- sulfonylureas: increased hypoglycemia risk via additive insulin sensitization(moderate)
Testosterone
Common side effects
- erythrocytosis
- acne
- oily skin
- fluid retention
- increased body hair
- fertility suppression
- injection-site reactions
Contraindications
- active prostate cancer
- active breast cancer
- untreated severe sleep apnea
- untreated severe BPH
- uncontrolled heart failure
- polycythemia at baseline
Interactions
- warfarin: may potentiate anticoagulant effect; monitor INR(moderate)
- insulin: may improve insulin sensitivity; monitor glucose in diabetics(moderate)
- 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (finasteride): blocks DHT conversion; reduces some androgen effects(moderate)
- aromatase inhibitors (anastrozole): lowers estradiol; risk of over-suppression(moderate)
Which Should You Take?
Testosterone comes out ahead for most readers on the criteria we weight: 3 catalogued goals, controlled substance, oral dosing, with a Tier-A outcome catalogued. MOTS-c is the right call when one of the conditionals below applies.
- → If your priority is healthspan extension, pick MOTS-c.
- → If your priority is metabolic health and glucose control, pick MOTS-c.
- → If your priority is hormonal optimization, pick Testosterone.
- → If your priority is sexual function, pick Testosterone.
Edge case: If you cannot self-administer injections, Testosterone is the only oral option in this pair.
Default choice: Testosterone. Wider use case, a Tier-A evidence outcome catalogued, and broader goal coverage. Reach for MOTS-c only if your priority sits squarely in the goals it owns above.
This verdict is generated from each compound's schema (goals, legal status, evidence outcomes, dosing route). It updates automatically as our compound data evolves; the deeper read sits on each individual compound page.
Common questions
What is the difference between MOTS-c and Testosterone?
MOTS-c and Testosterone differ in category (peptide vs hormone), mechanism, and typical dosing. See the side-by-side table for full details.
Which has a longer half-life, MOTS-c or Testosterone?
MOTS-c half-life is 0.5 hours; Testosterone half-life is 192 hours.
Can you stack MOTS-c with Testosterone?
Stack compatibility depends on mechanism overlap, legal status, and individual response. Check each compound page for specific interactions and contraindications before combining.
Go deeper