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Also known as 4,9-diazadodecane-1,12-diamine, 4,9-diaza-1,12-dodecanediamine, (3-aminopropyl)({4-[(3-aminopropyl)amino]butyl})amine, N1,N4-bis(3-aminopropyl)-1,4-butanediamine, SPM, N,N'-bis(3-aminopropyl)-1,4-tetramethylenediamine, neuridine, 1,5,10,14-tetraazatetradecane

Spermine is a polyamine involved in cellular metabolism that is found in all eukaryotic cells. The precursor for synthesis of spermine is the amino acid ornithine. It is an essential growth factor in some bacteria as well. It is found as a polycation at physiological pH. Spermine is associated with nucleic acids and is thought to stabilize helical structure, particularly in viruses. It functions as an intracellular free radical scavenger to protect DNA from free radical attack. Spermine is the chemical primarily responsible for the characteristic odor of semen.