Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) formation from putrescine in guinea-pig liver during ontogenesis

1. The changes in hepatic diamine oxidase (DAO) activity of the foetal and maternal origin and their relations to GABA formation during pregnancy in guinea-pigs are described. 2. Foetal DAO activity continuously increased while the maternal enzyme from the 45th day of gestation onwards decreased. 3. Conversion of putrescine to GABA via oxidative deamination has been detected in the earliest studied day i.e. the 34th.