| Abstract: | A mammalian ovoperoxiadase activity has been detected in ionophore activated mouse eggs. The peroxidase activity was demonstrated at the electron microscopic level using the 3,3′-diaminobenzidine (DAB) histochemical method. A positive DAB reaction was detected in a portion of the intact cortical granules of untreated or DMSO treated control eggs. In the ionophore activated eggs, the DAB reaction product was routinely detected by electron microscopy, predominantly on the cell surface, that is on the zona pellucida, in the perivitelline space, and in association with the cortical granule exudates. Furthermore, the peroxidase inhibitors phenylhydrazine and sodium sulfite prevented DAB staining in ionophore activated oocytes. These results indicate the presence of an ovoperoxidase, possibly of cortical granule origin, on the surface of activated mammalian eggs, detectable by histochemical means. |
