Gourami lenses convert tryptophan into 3-hydroxykynurenine.

Although free tryptophan was found in the lens of both the kissing gourami (Helostoma temmincki) and the 3-spot gourami (Trichogaster trichopterus), only the lens of the latter species contained 3-hydroxykynurenine. Radiolabel experiments carried out on 3-spot gourami lenses in culture demonstrated that, as in humans, lenticular tryptophan is converted to 3-hydroxykynurenine probably via the intermediate kynurenine.