Tryptophan ingestion by gestant mothers alters prolactin and luteinizing hormone release in the adult male offspring.

The effect of tryptophan administration to pregnant rats on the development of serotonergic systems and serotonin-related hormones in the offspring was studied. The male offspring of rats treated with tryptophan (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-fold increase in serum luteinizing hormone 70 days after birth. The forebrain of adult offspring of tryptophan-treated rats showed an increase in serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid levels. Present data suggest that tryptophan regulates serotonergic differentiation during early development.