In vitro metabolism of putrescine by diamine oxidase in tissues of the pregnant rat.

The metabolism of 14C-putrescine by diamine oxidase was tested on the 19th day of pregnancy in different organs of rats. The highest turnover was found in maternal placenta and uterus where 94% of the reaction product was identified as delta 1-pyrroline. Considerable deamination rates were also observed in ovary, liver and fetal placenta where, however, gamma-aminobutyric acid was the predominant product. In the kidney only a small diamine oxidase activity was measured. No formation of spermidine or spermine from 14C-putrescine was detected.