We report herein the successful results of estrus induction, sperm cryopreservation and kids born by transcervical insemination of frozen-thawed semen in a Saanen goat. Flugestone acetate (FGA: 60 mg) was inserted into vagina for 15 days. The goat was intramuscularly injected with 400 IU PMSG and 200 IU hCG (: Intervet, Korea) a day before withdrawal of the FGA sponge. Follicles and corpora lutea were identified on both ovaries by laparoscopy. Artificial insemination was performed 46 hours after removal of FGA sponge. The concentration of frozen-thawed semen was and 0.5 ml of frozen-thawed semen was transcervically inseminated into uterine body under anesthesia. Three kids, all females, were born 144 days after artificial insemination. This is the first report producing kids by transcervical insemination of frozen-thawed semen in a Saanen goat of which the estrus was induced by FGA sponges, PMSG and hCG during non-breeding season in Korea.

Processing techniques for producing microcellular silicon carbide, mullite, and cordierite ceramics have been developed by a reaction method that incorporates a polysiloxane and reactive fillers. The techniques developed in this study offer substantial flexibility for producing microcellular ceramics whereby cell size, cell density, degree of interconnectivity, composition, and porosity can all be effectively controlled. It is demonstrated that the adjustment of filler composition enables the possibility of tailoring the composition and properties of the microcellular ceramics. The present results suggest that the proposed novel processing techniques are suitable for the manufacture of microcellular ceramics with high morphological uniformity.