Synthesis of hepatic polyamines, ribonucleic acid and S-adenosylmethionine in normal and oestrogen-treated chicks.

1. The hepatic synthesis and accumulation of polyamines, RNA and S-adenosylmethionine were studied in normal and oestrogen-treated immature male chicks. 2. Ornithine decarboxylase activity in chick liver and in whole chick embryo homogenate was preferentially located in the soluble supernatant fraction. 3. In general the activities of the enzymes involved in the synthesis of polyamines and S-adenosylmethionine decreased with increasing age.