Ovules from flowers removed 2 d postanthesis (DPA) from field-grown Acala 1517-88 (AC-88) and Coker 312 (CO-312) were cultured either at a constant temperature of 30^oC or at 18 DPA subjected to a temperature of 15^oC for 15 h and then returned to 30^oC. At 24 DPA the ovules were harvested and analyzed for antioxidant enzyme activity. Peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase activities were similar in both cultivars, but cold stress appeared to cause a decrease in peroxidase activity in the ovules of both AC-88 and CO-312. Catalase, glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione S-transferase activities ranged two- to three-fold higher in both the control and cold-stressed ovules of AC-88.