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Lenticular Opacities in Young Rats as a Consequence of Maternal Diets Low in Tryptophan and/or Vitamin E¹

Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061

The relative effect upon lens transparency of a diet low in both tryptophan and vitamin E was compared to diets low in either nutrient alone during development. Thirty-three percent of 126 progeny from 19 litters at weaning were found to have either unilateral or bilateral lenticular opacities when the maternal diet during gestation and lactation provided only 75 mg L-tryptophan and 0.1 mg dl--tocopheryl acetate per 100 g diet. No opacities were seen in 179 progeny from 20 litters when tryptophan alone was restricted, and only 6% incidence was detected when vitamin E was the sole limiting nutrient. The data reveal a previously unrecognized association between tryptophan and vitamin E relative to fetal lens development.

KEY WORDS: • tryptophan • tocopherol • cataract • lens • development • vitamin E

¹ Supported by Public Health Service Grant No. 5 RO1 EY 01060 and by Hatch Grant No. 616209. Reported in part at the 1975 FASEB meetings in Atlantic City, N.J.

Manuscript received 28 August 1975.