Tryptophan deficiency

Abstract

Previous work indicates that the hematopoietic function and kynurenic acid formation are not associated with the function which renders tryptophane essential to life. Rats kept for long periods on a diet of high zein content without tryptophane showed little loss of wt. Injected tryptophane did not compensate a tryptophane deficiency in the diet. Injections of an anterior pituitary growth hormone preparation produced in rats, in spite of tryptophane deficiency, an increase in wt. probably representing real growth. It is concluded that the tryptophane found in the body proteins is synthesized in the tissues, but is in no case available for the "essential" or hormonal function, for which dietary tryptophane is indispensable.