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Tryptophan metabolism in embryo implantation and decidualization

Liu, Zekun ; Wei, Daole ; An, Siyuan ; Cui, Wenjing ; Kazi, Julhash U LU orcid ; Diao, Honglu ; Zhao, Mingpeng ; Wang, Peng-Chao and Yang, Zhenshan LU orcid (2026) In Tissue and Cell 101.
Abstract

Tryptophan is an essential amino acid for the human body and is crucial for protein synthesis. It is primarily metabolized through the kynurenine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, and indole pathways. The various bioactive compounds produced through tryptophan metabolism can regulate a range of physiological functions, including digestive, metabolic, immune responses, and neurological functions. New evidence supports a close relationship between tryptophan metabolism and embryo implantation; the levels or ratios of tryptophan metabolites, such as kynurenine, serotonin, and melatonin, significantly correlate with various decidualization markers. In this review, we summarize the latest research progress on tryptophan and its metabolites in embryo... (More)

Tryptophan is an essential amino acid for the human body and is crucial for protein synthesis. It is primarily metabolized through the kynurenine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, and indole pathways. The various bioactive compounds produced through tryptophan metabolism can regulate a range of physiological functions, including digestive, metabolic, immune responses, and neurological functions. New evidence supports a close relationship between tryptophan metabolism and embryo implantation; the levels or ratios of tryptophan metabolites, such as kynurenine, serotonin, and melatonin, significantly correlate with various decidualization markers. In this review, we summarize the latest research progress on tryptophan and its metabolites in embryo implantation and their effects on decidualization. Exploring the mechanisms linking tryptophan metabolism to embryo implantation and decidualization may pave the way for novel treatments for reproductive disorders.

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author
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organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Humans, Tryptophan/metabolism, Embryo Implantation, Female, Decidua/metabolism, Animals, Serotonin/metabolism, Pregnancy, Kynurenine/metabolism
in
Tissue and Cell
volume
101
article number
103522
publisher
Elsevier
external identifiers
  • scopus:105035411032
  • pmid:41980329
ISSN
0040-8166
DOI
10.1016/j.tice.2026.103522
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
5aca21ca-1a4f-483d-a107-555d7919ff4d
date added to LUP
2026-05-18 18:43:26
date last changed
2026-06-16 06:26:04
@article{5aca21ca-1a4f-483d-a107-555d7919ff4d,
  abstract     = {{<p>Tryptophan is an essential amino acid for the human body and is crucial for protein synthesis. It is primarily metabolized through the kynurenine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, and indole pathways. The various bioactive compounds produced through tryptophan metabolism can regulate a range of physiological functions, including digestive, metabolic, immune responses, and neurological functions. New evidence supports a close relationship between tryptophan metabolism and embryo implantation; the levels or ratios of tryptophan metabolites, such as kynurenine, serotonin, and melatonin, significantly correlate with various decidualization markers. In this review, we summarize the latest research progress on tryptophan and its metabolites in embryo implantation and their effects on decidualization. Exploring the mechanisms linking tryptophan metabolism to embryo implantation and decidualization may pave the way for novel treatments for reproductive disorders.</p>}},
  author       = {{Liu, Zekun and Wei, Daole and An, Siyuan and Cui, Wenjing and Kazi, Julhash U and Diao, Honglu and Zhao, Mingpeng and Wang, Peng-Chao and Yang, Zhenshan}},
  issn         = {{0040-8166}},
  keywords     = {{Humans; Tryptophan/metabolism; Embryo Implantation; Female; Decidua/metabolism; Animals; Serotonin/metabolism; Pregnancy; Kynurenine/metabolism}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Elsevier}},
  series       = {{Tissue and Cell}},
  title        = {{Tryptophan metabolism in embryo implantation and decidualization}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tice.2026.103522}},
  doi          = {{10.1016/j.tice.2026.103522}},
  volume       = {{101}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}