For volume 2 alone: A gold-standard collection of readily reproducible techniques for the molecular and genetic analysis of germ cells in a variety of different reproductive systems. Volume 2: Molecular Embryo Analysis, Live Imaging, Transgenesis, and Cloning focuses on molecular egg analysis, live egg imaging, nuclear cloning, oocyte cryopreservation, and nuclear transfer. Highlights include the identification and characterization of Oct-4, germline chromatin silencing by RNAi, cDNA subtraction and cloning in the field of trophoblast/placental development, and selective ablation. Each readily reproducible protocol is described in step-by-step detail and contains an introduction outlining the principle behind the technique, lists of equipment and reagents, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Comprehensive and cutting-edge, Germ Cell Protocols offers both novice and established researchers a gold-standard collection of hard-to-find methods of high impact research, diverse procedures that are easy-to-follow, well-illustrated, and allow a cross-species transfer of knowledge from lower vertebrates to higher mammalian systems. For both volumes: A gold-standard collection of readily reproducible techniques for the molecular and genetic analysis of germ cells in a variety of different reproductive systems. The methods cover sperm and egg activation, motility, fertilization, nuclear development, nuclear cloning, the molecular characterization of specific events, and the imaging of cell structures. Volume 1: Sperm and Oocyte Analysis focuses on sperm cells, oocyte analysis, oocyte maturation, fertilization, and preparation techniques. Volume 2: Molecular Embryo Analysis, Live Imaging, Transgenesis, and Cloning contains methods for molecular egg analysis, live egg imaging, nuclear cloning, oocyte preservation, and nuclear transfer. Comprehensive and cutting-edge, Germ Cell Protocols offers both novice and established researchers a gold-standard collection of hard-to-find methods of high impact research, diverse procedures that are easy-to-follow, well-illustrated, and allow a cross-species transfer of knowledge from lower vertebrates to higher mammalian systems.