title: L-tryptophan metabolism in pregnant mice fed a high L-tryptophan diet and the effect on maternal, placental, and fetal growth.
abstract: Excess L-tryptophan (L-Trp) in the diet decreases fetal body weight. However, the relationship between L-Trp concentration and its effects on maternal, placental, and fetal growth are not well-understood. We investigated the effects of excess L-Trp intake on maternal, placental, and fetal growth. Female mice were fed a 20% casein diet (control diet) or control diet plus 2% or 5% L-Trp during gestation. Pup weights did not differ between the control (L-Trp intake: 0.04 g/kg body weight (BW)/day) and 2% L-Trp groups (L-Trp intake: 3.3 g/kg BW/day), but were significantly lower in the 5% L-Trp group (L-Trp intake: 7.0 g/kg BW/day) than in the control and 2% L-Trp groups. These results show that less than 3.3 g/kg BW/day L-Trp intake in pregnant mice during gestation does not affect fetal growth or L-Trp homeostasis in the placenta or fetus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, School of Human Cultures, the University of Shiga Prefecture, Hikone, Shiga 522-8533, Japan.
authors.forename: Ai
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tsuji
authors.forename: Chifumi
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nakata
authors.forename: Mitsue
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sano
authors.forename: Tsutomu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fukuwatari
authors.forename: Katsumi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shibata
keywords: L-tryptophan; mouse; placenta; pregnancy; toxicity