Effects of dietary tryptophan levels on growth, feed/gain, carcass composition and liver glutamate dehydrogenase activity in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri).

1. The tryptophan requirement of rainbow trout (initial body wt, 13 g) was estimated by feeding diets containing varied levels of tryptophan from 0.06 to 0.5% of diet for 6 weeks. 2. The estimated tryptophan requirement was 0.20-0.25 (0.57-0.71)% of diet (dietary proteins). 3. Nitrogen retention increased and feed/gain decreased with dietary tryptophan levels up to 0.14%, but no further effect was observed at levels above 0.14%. 4. Carcass protein content gradually increased and lipid and ash contents decreased with increasing dietary tryptophan levels. 5. Dietary tryptophan levels did not affect hepatosomatic index or liver glutamate dehydrogenase activity.