In order to demonstrate whether ovoperoxidase hardens the zona of oocytes activated by incubating in M-S buffer supplemented with 20$\mu$M of Ca-ionophore A 23187, the effect of peroxidase inhibitors(250mM pheylhydrazine, 28mM sodilum sulfite, 350mM glycine ethyl ester and 50mM sodium azide), tyrosine analogue(12.5mM tyramine) and exogeneous peroxidase(50$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml horseradishperoxidase ; HRP) on zona hardening in ionorphore-treated oocytes were investigated. The results obtained from thses experiments were summarized as follows : 1. The zona solubility (t50) of ionophore-activated and DMSO-treated oocytes at 1, 2 and 3 hr of culture were 25.0, 31.6 and 40.6min., and 9.7, 10.8 and 15.5 min., respectively. The longest time required for zona lysis of ionophore activated oocytes at 1 hr after onset of ionophore treatment. The diferences int50 for zona was significantly greater as compared to DMSO-treated controls(P<0.01). 2. The inhibition rates of hardening in the oocytes treated with the phenylhydrazine, sodium sulfite, glycine ethyl ester and sodium azide, were 23.8, 61.9, 95.2 and 23.8%l, respectively, and the tyramine, was 14.3%. Several known peroxidase inhibitors and tyrosine analogue were blocked zona hardening in ionophore activated oocytes. 3. The treatment of exogeneous peroxidase promoted the zona hardening of activated oocytes but not unactivated oocytes. These resuls indicate that the ovoperoxidase apparently catalyzes the hardening of the zona following ionophore activation of mouse oocytes.

These experiments were carried out to investigate whether the enzyme is involved in zona hardening during normal activatin of the oocytes by sperm, and demonstrate peroxidase activity during in vitro fertilization of oocytes treated with peroxidase inhibitors(250 $\mu$M phenylhydrazine, 28mM sodium sulfite, 350mM glycine ethyl ester and 50mM sodium azide) and tyrosine analogue(12.5mM tyramine). Also, zona soluble properties of the ovarian oocytes incubated for 0, 5, 10 and 15 hr in the presence of pheylhydrazine or tyramine were studied by using $\alpha$-chymotrypsin. The results obtained from these experiments were summarized as follows ; 1. The rates of fertilizatin in control oocytes and oocytes treated with phenylhydrazine or tyramine were 69.8%, 62.3% and 88.2%, respectively. However in vitro fertilization in oocytes treated with three different peroxidase inhibitors, sodium sulfite, glycine ethyl ester and sodium azide, were not induced. The oocytes treated with phenylhydrazine had no significant effect on in vitro fertilization rate as compared to control. However there was a significantly different in fertilization between tyramine treated group and control group(P<0.01). 2. The zona solubility(t50) of control and fertilized oocytes in culture treated with phenylhydrazine or tyramine were 30.7, 26.0 and 16.3 min., respectively. Phenylhydrazine treated group and tyramine treated group had effect on inhibition of zona hardening as compared to control group. These results suggest that ovoperoxidase is involved in zona hardening during normal activation of the oocytes by sperm. 3. t50 of control oocytes and ovarian oocytes treated with phenylhydrazine or tyramine for 5, 10 and 15 hr in vitro were 14.0, 26.2 and 32.0 min., 14.5, 26.9 and 30.2 min., and 14.0, 24.3 and 31.2 min., respectively. These results suggest that zona hardening in ovarian oocytes matured for various times in vitro cannot be inhibited by peroxidase inhibitors and tyrosine analogue, that the spontaneous zona hardening incultured ovarian oocytes is not caused by the secretory products of cortical granules released during the cortical reaction, ovoperoxidase.

Bovine follicular oocytes were matured in two different conditions, TCM 199＋10% FBS with or without hormones (0.01 unit/ml ovine follicle stimulating hormone, 0.01 unit/ml ovine luteinizing hormone and 1$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml $\beta$-estradiol). There was no significant difference in maturation and fertilization rates of the oocytes between two groups. The result indicates that hormonal treatment does not have beneficial effect on in vitro maturation and fertilization of follicular oocytes. IVF-derived cone-cell bovine embryos were injected with foreign DNA (CChcLf) by microinjection method and then co-cultrued with bovine oviductal epithelial cells. Developmental rate of microinjected embryos to blastocyst stage (21%) was similar to that of non-injected embryos(29%). This result represents that microinjected bovine embryos produced in vitro have a potential of development to normal blastocysts.

We determined whether the ultrarapid freezing method is applicable to micromanipulated mouse embryos. One-cell mouse embryos were microinjected with MThGH gene. Nuclei from one-cell embryos of F1(C57BL$\times$CBA) mice were transplanted into enucleated one-cell embryos of ICR mice. The injected and nucleated embryos that developed to 2-cell stage were cryopreserved by ultrarapidfreezing. The embryos equilibrated in freezing medium(3 M DMSO＋0.25 M sucrose＋2% FBS in PBS) were directly immersed into liquid nitrogen and then thawed in 37$^{\circ}C$ water. Development rates of the microinjected and nuclear-transplanted embryos to blastocyst stage after ultrarapidly freezing and thawing were 31% and 55%, respectively. The frozen-thawed embryos were transferred to pseudopregnant recipient, which then gave birth to 17 offsprings. Twelve(14% of the transferred embryos) and five(20%) offsprings were derived from microinjected and nuclear-transplanted embryos, respectively. The results indicate that the DNA injected and nuclear-transplanted mouse embryos are cryopreservable at 2-cell stage by ultrarapid freezing method.

This study was attempted to investigate the processes of regression of the corpus luteum and uterus after parturition in 2∼3 multiparous Korean native goats. The concentrations of LH, prolactin and progesterone in blood plasma of native goats were measured at 5 day intervals from 10 days prepartum to 35 days postpartum. The pregnancy corpus luteum from goats at Days(D) 1, 10, 20 and 30 days of postpartum were examined by light microscopy. Changes in the uterus fo goats were studies by macroscopic and light microscopic observations during the postpartum period. Mean concentrations of plasma LH were low after parturition and the levels of plasma LH were similar during late gestation and throughout the postpartum period. Mean plasma concentrations of prolactin were 0.30 0.06 and 0.38 0.13ng/ml at Day 5 and Day 10 prepartum, respectively, but PRL levels remained slightly high for 5 weeks after kidding. Mean levels of progesterone in plasma were 0.33 0.05ng/ml on Day 1 postpartum(P<0.01). Through light microscopic survey, pregnancy corpora lutea were quite degeneration by day 10 pospartum. Microscopic changes of CL regression consisted of cytoplasmic eosinophilia and vacuolation, and pyknosis and karyorrhexis of the nucleus of luteal cells. Vascular changes were distended at the periphery ofthe CL. From macroscopic measurements of the uterus, the uteri were returned to their initial non-pregnant stage within a period of 21 dyas after parturition. Following partuition the intercaruncular epithelium was reparied by 20 days. The uterine epithelium was partially recovered in the carucle by 30 days postpartum.

Morphological changes in the uterine and vaginal epithelial cells of the Korean native goats were studied in fifteen primiparous goats slaughtered on the day of parturition and on days 1, 3, 10 and 21 postpartum. 15 uterus and vagina from goats were examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The results obtained in this study were summarized as follows : 1. Transmission electron microscopically, long microvilli which sometimes ramified were found until 10 days postpartum, while short microvilli were found at 21 days. The high electron dense irregular-shaped mitochondria were found in the cytoplasm and the crystalline structure of the mitochondrial matrix was also found from 1 day to 10 days postpartum. Well-developed rough-endoplasmic reticulum (rER) with dilated cisternae which contained the proteins materials was observed at 21 days postpartum. These materials were fused each other and then large granules were found in the free surface of the cytoplasm. A few lipid droplets were generally appeared in the cytoplasm, while numerous droplets were found at 21 days postpartum. A moderate number of ribosomes, a few multivesicular bodies, vesicles, lysosomes and macrophages were found. The globule leucocytes were observed from 0 to 3 days postpartum by transmission electron microscopy. The short microvilli, high electron dense cytoplasm and severe indentation of the nuclear enbelope were found in the vaginal epithelium. Numerouos small vesicles and a few vacuoles were observed in the apical cytoplasmic portion of the epithelium. A few mitochondria were high electron dense and irregular in shape. A moderate amounts of microfilaments, loose intercellular space and dilated rER were also found at 21 days postpartum. 2. Scanning electron microscopically, the folds of the uterine mucosa were generally deep. The long microvilli of the epithelium were found until 3 days postpartum, while short microvili were found at 10 and 21 days postpartum. The distinct intercellular boundary was seen. The apporcine secretory profile of the epithelium observed at between 3 and 10 days postpartum and the cells were somewhat protruded into the lumen. The short microvilli were found on the surface of the protruded cells, while polygonal microridge profile of the epithelium and some dome-shaped epithelium were also observed at 21 days postpartum. The folds of the vaginal mucosa were deep and epithelium was polygonal in shape. The microvilli of the epithelium were long until 3 days postpartum, while they were short at 10 and 21 days. The polygonal epithelium was invaginated into the center of the cell surface until 10 days postpartum. The microridge and dome in shape of the epithelium were found at 10 days postpartum, while the polygonal and exfoliating epithelium were observed at 21 days.

The effects of in vitro maturation and sperm treatment condition on the in vitro fertilization (IVF) and developmental capacity of bovine oocytes were investigated and the development of embryos was compared under the 2 different co-culture system, with GC or BOEC. The cultured embryo to 16 cell or morula wre transferred into recipients or frozen by 2 different freezing method. The results obtained were summarized as follows; 1. In vitro maturation rates of vovine follicular oocytes cultrued in TCM199 with 10% FCS or ECS were 64.0% and 72.7%, but the case of addition of 10% FCS or ECS to TCM199 co-cultured with granulosa cells were 81.3% and 84.0%, respectively. IVM rate of three TCM199 added to granulosa cells was higher than that of media without granulosa cells. 2. When bovine follicular oocytes were matured in TCM199 with 10% FCS and GC and then fertilized in vitro by sperm treated with caffeine, embryo developments of bovine oocytes co-cultured with BOEC were 38.4% and 51.4%, respectively. But those of bovine oocytes co-cultured with GC were 52.2% by sperm treated with caffeine-heparin. 3. Cleavage rates of bovine oocytes cultured with 10% FCS alone and fertilized in vitro by sperm treated with caffeine-heparin was 33.0%. 4. When bovine follicular oocytes were matured in TCM199 with 10% FCS and GC, embryo developments of bovine ooctyes co-cultured with BOEC of GC were 46.0% and 50.2%, respectively. 5. When bovine follicular oocytes were matured in TCM199 with 10% ECS and GC, embryo developments co-cultured with BOEC or GC were 45.2% and 51.4%, respectively. 6. When Korean Native cow's follicular oocytes matured in TCM199 with 10% FCS and GC, embryo developed co-cultured with BOEC or GC were 45.2% and 51.4%, respectively. 6. When Korean Native cow's follicular oocytes matured in TCM199 with 10% FCS and GC, embryo developments of the bovine oocyte co-cultured with BOEC and GC were 41.8% and 60.1%. But with FCS 10% those of the bovine oocytes co-cultured with BOEC and GC were 42.0% and 48.4%, respectively. 7. When Holstein's follicular oocytes were matured in TCM199 with 10% ECS and GC, embryo developments fo the bovine oocytes co-cultured with BOEC and GC were 50.0% and 57.7%, but with ECS 10% those of the bovine oocytes co-cultured with BOEC and GC were 52.2% and 56.5%, respectively. 8. The viability of frozen-thawed embryos ranged from 60~80% and those of frozen-thawed embryos from vitrification was lower than that from conventional metiod. 9. The selected fresh embryos were transferred nonsurgically to 7 recipients but did not result in pregnancy.

Bovine embryos at 2-to 8-cell produced by in vitro matured/in vitro fertilized(IVM/IVF) were cultured in TCM 199 or Synthetic oviduct fluid(SOF) with 10% fetal bovine serum(FBS) or cocultured with cumulus or bovine oviduct epithelial cell(BOEC) in TCM-199 or SOF medium. In experiment 1, the proportions of embryos developed to morula and blastocysts stages in TCM 199 medium were higher when they were co-cultured with cumulus cell(29%) or BOEC(33%) than that of TCM 199 with 10% FBS(12%, P<0.01). In experiment 2, embryos deived from IVM/IVF were cultured in SOF with 10% FBS or cocultured with cumulus cell or BOEC in same medium. The higher development rates of IVM/IVF embryos developed beyond morula stages were obtained in cumulus cell co-culture group(39%) than those of BOEC group(26%) and SOF with 10% FBS group(17%, P<0.01). The present results indicated that the early development of IVM/IVF embryos can be maintained efficienty in SOF with cumulus cell co-culture.

Canine follicular oocytes were used to establish a reliable system for maturation and fertilization in vitro. Ovaries were obtained from either slaughter house or hormone-primed bitches of mixed breeds. The oocytes were recovered by mincing the ovaries in M2＋BSA. Good quality of oocyte-cumulus complexes (OCCs) were selected and cultured in TCM 199 containing 15% fetal calf serum(FCS) for 24~56 h in an atmosphere of 5% CO2 at 39$^{\circ}C$. Maturation rate of follicular oocytes was >87% showing metaphase I. Unlike other domestic animals the cumulus expansion did not occur fully in canine OCCs although minimum expansion was found between the cumulus cells and corona radiata cells, the clear nuclear morphology was presented for the first time by rapid staining. The IVM system used in this study may be useful to obtain fully maturated metaphase I oocyte in dog.

Various tissue and follicular components were analyzed for the determination of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) isozyme patterns by electrophoretic technique with chromogen reaction in the pig. Optimum conditions for the tissue homogenate and the storage were finally established. Small quantities of follicular components were analysed for typing of LDH isozymes by microelectrophoresis. Microelectrophoretic analysis showed that only LDH-1 was visible in the oocytes, all isozymes in cumulus masses, and LDH-1, 2 and 3 in follicular fluid. The results provide critical information on the LDH activity of various tissues and follicular components. Furthermore, t he developed methods should be useful the analysis of LDH in the small quantity of samples, especially in the oocyte, and easily applicable to the oocyte and early embryos of other domestic species.

Transgenic animals have become an important tool in the basic and applied sectors of genetic and biomedical sciences. In particular transgenes provide clear-cut markers in the spatial and temporal analysis of developing embryos for the understanding of developmental mechanisms. For the long-term use of plasmid vector in a particular purpose it would be necessary to develop one's own vector system which can be properly expressed in eukaryotic system. Plasmids were constructed from ori region of pUC19 and early region of SV40 through various steps. LacZ gene coding for $\beta$-galactosides was fused to early gene of SV40 in translational in-frame. Poly(A) tailing site of SV40 was inserted at the 3' lacZ so that initiation, elongation and terminatin be controlled by SV40 transcription (pSS4). Biological function of the constructed pSS4 was demonstrated via microinjection of the plasmid into fertilized loach eggs and subsequent detection of $\beta$-galactosidase in developing embryos. The result indicate that the newly constructed pSS4 is functional in a eukaryotic system in vivo. Thus pSS4 may be used as an efficient tool for the study of embryogenesis and a basic carrier for various genes for animal transgenesis.