spermidine

American  

[spur-mi-deen, -din] / ˈspɜr mɪˌdin, -dɪn /

noun

Biochemistry.

1. a biogenic polyamine, H 2 N(CH2 ) 4 NH(CH2 ) 3 NH 2 , formed from putrescine, occurring widely in nature and first identified in semen.

---

Etymology

Origin of spermidine

First recorded in 1925–30; sperm- + -idine

Example Sentences

They first reduced polyamine levels using a drug, then restored them by adding spermidine.

From Science Daily • Mar. 2, 2026

In recent years, scientists have focused on these compounds, especially spermidine, for their potential to support healthy aging.

From Science Daily • Mar. 2, 2026

They determined that lubiprostone boosts the production of spermidine, a compound that enhances mitochondrial activity by encouraging the growth of beneficial gut bacteria.

From Science Daily • Dec. 3, 2025

Production of the molecules spermidine and putrescine becomes higher than normal.

From Nature • Mar. 17, 2020

Medina and colleagues traced the conversion of arginine to spermidine by this pathway, and found that cells induced to undergo apoptosis increased their synthesis of spermidine and its precursor, the molecule putrescine, before dying.

From Nature • Mar. 17, 2020