TRYPTOPHAN INGESTION BY GESTATING MOTHERS ALTERS PROLACTIN AND LUTEINIZING-HORMONE RELEASE IN THE ADULT MALE OFFSPRING

The effect of tryptophan administration to pregnant rats on the develo pment of serotonergic systems and serotonin-related hormones in the of fspring was studied. The male offspring of rats treated with tryptopha n (200 mg/kg/day) during the second half of gestation showed a 4- to 7 -fold increase in serum prolactin 40 and 70 days after birth and a 2-f old increase in serum luteinizing hormone 70 days after birth. The for ebrain of adult offspring of tryptophan-treated rats showed an increas e in serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid levels. Present data sug gest that tryptophan regulates serotonergic differentiation during ear ly development. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.