Sex‐linked differences in cortisol, ACTH and prolactin responses to 5‐hydroxy‐tryptophan in healthy controls and minor and major depressed patients

ABSTRACT— Some researchers have found that the administration of 5‐hydroxytryptophan (5‐HTP) results in increased cortisol secretion in major depressives but not in healthy controls. Other authors observed gender‐related differences in cortisol responses to 5‐HTP in major depressives. In order to investigate the pituitary/adrenal responsivity to 5‐HTP, the authors measured cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and prolactin (PRL) in 30 healthy controls and in 90 depressed patients; the hormone levels were determined in baseline conditions and 60, 90 and 120 min after 125 ma L‐5‐HTP (orally, non‐enteric coated). We found [hat healthy men had significantly higher cortisol responses to L‐5‐HTP than healthy women. In the major depressives with melancholia and/or psychotic features these differences were reversed: women exhibited significantly higher cortisol and PRL responses than men. In the female group the most severely depressed patients had increased cortisol and PRL responses to L‐5‐HTP. The amplitudes of the cortisol, ACTH and PRL responses to L‐5‐HTP were significantly and positively correlated. It was concluded that the central serotonergic regulation of ACTH and PRL is significantly different between the sexes and between healthy controls, minor depressives and severely depressed patients.