Casein-induced amyloidosis in hamsters was found to be of the AA-type, as shown by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and amino acid analysis of the major low-molecular weight component of the amyloid fibrils. Levels of serum amyloid A (SAA) and the activities of cathepsin D, beta-N-glucosaminidase, serine esterase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) were measured in the blood plasma during induction of amyloidosis. During the pre-amyloid phase an increase was observed in all these parameters. During the deposition of amyloid, an increase was observed in the activities of the lysosomal enzymes cathepsin D and beta-N-glucosaminidase, which was significantly correlated with amyloid deposition. Serine esterase activities did not show any relationship to amyloid deposition. LDH and GGT activities were normal in the amyloid phase. SAA levels were lower during amyloid deposition than during the pre-amyloid phase. These findings indicate that a specific release of lysosomal contents from mononuclear phagocytic cells is involved in the pathogenesis of AA-amyloidosis. Amyloid deposition may be the result of: (i) extrusion of intralysosomal protein AA or pre-amyloid, followed by extracellular formation of amyloid fibrils; (ii) secretion of lysosomal enzymes, followed by extracellular cleavage of SAA and subsequent aggregation of protein AA with other components.