[3] It is present in small quantities in living organisms but is often associated with the putrefaction of animal tissue.

[4] It can be synthesized by many methods including the hydrogenation of glutaronitrile and the reactions of 1,5-dichloropentane.

[3] Putrescine[5] and cadaverine[6] were first described in 1885 by the Berlin physician Ludwig Brieger (1849–1919).

[10] Elevated levels of cadaverine have been found in the urine of some patients with defects in lysine metabolism.

The odor commonly associated with bacterial vaginosis has been linked to cadaverine and putrescine.