In adult hens diamine oxidase (histaminase) activity was found in gastrointestinal tract (with the highest value in ileum), liver and spleen. Intestinal diamine oxidase is predominantly a particle-bound enzyme. In the intestine oxidation of putrescine leads to delta 1-pyrroline formation, in liver both delta 1-pyrroline and gamma-aminobutyric acid are formed. The inhibitor properties of hen intestinal and rat intestinal diamine oxidases are very similar and differ from pea seedling diamine oxidase. The natural dipeptides carnosine and anserine are relatively potent inhibitors of hen intestinal diamine oxidase.