Intravenous administration of L-tryptophan stimulates gastrointestinal hormones and melatonin secretions: study on beef cattle

This study aimed to determine the effective dose of intravenous administration of L-tryptophan (L-T) on gastrointestinal hormones (GIH) secretions and melatonin using Hanwoo cattle. Three steers (362 ± 23 kg) fitted with indwelling jugular vein catheters were assigned in a 3 × 3 Latin square design. Treatments were intravenous administration of saline (control), 28.9 mg L-T/kg body weight (BW; low) and 57.8 mg L-T/kg BW (high) L-T for 1 day with 7 days of adaptation. Samples were collected after adaptation period at −60, 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 240, and 300 min of sampling day. The levels of serum cholecystokinin (CCK) and secretin were higher (p < 0.05) in the high L-T group than those in the other groups. Serum Melatonin (MEL) levels were increased upon L-T administration (p < 0.05) in the high L-T group. Taken together, the effective dose of L-T administration was defined at 57.8 mg L-T/kg BW in order to stimulate increase of GIH and MEL.