A Rapid Test for Pregnancy on Xenopus lævis

Shapiro, Herbert; Zwarenstein, H.

doi:10.1038/133762a0

Cited by 57 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…Xenopus laevis, or other introduced amphibian species, have been indicated as possible carriers of this fungus to other countries (Mazzoni et al 2003;Daszak et al 2004;Garner et al 2006) and specifically to Chile (Lips et al 2008). Since its popularity as a pregnancy assay for humans (Shapiro and Zwarenstein 1934), and more recently as a model for scientific research, large numbers of African clawed frogs have been captured in the wild in southern Africa (the country that is postulated as the origin of this chytrid) and exported around the world (Weldon et al 2004). The establishment of feral infected populations of X. laevis could potentially have vectored the chytrid into importing countries, thus disseminating the infection into their native amphibian species.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Africa has been proposed as the origin of Bd and specimens of X. laevis from 1938 are known to have been infected (Morehouse et al 2003;Weldon et al 2004). Around this time, an important international trade of this species commenced because of its use as a pregnancy assay for humans (Shapiro and Zwarenstein 1934). Since then, feral populations of X. laevis have been established in Europe, the United States and South America (Tinsley and McCoid 1996;Measey 2001), providing a means by which Bd may have been introduced to native amphibian species (Fisher and Garner 2007;Weldon et al 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Presence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in feral populations of Xenopus laevis in Chile

et al. 2009

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Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is a causal agent of disease and population decline of amphibian populations, and the extinction of several anuran species worldwide. Diverse hypotheses have been provided for the emergence of this fungus in different continents, ranging from global climate change to the vectoring of Bd via the international trade in amphibian species. In order to address these hypotheses, it is important to assess the current distribution of Bd in the context of introduced nonnative amphibian species. We sampled several populations of the African clawed frog Xenopus laevis across its distribution in Chile in order to detect the presence of B. dendrobatidis and evaluate the role of this frog as a potential vector. In three of ten sites sampled, individuals harbored B. dendrobatidis infection, with an overall prevalence of infection across the studied populations of 24% (14 positive out of 58 analyzed specimens). The rapid spread exhibited by this frog within Chile suggests that transpecific transmission of the pathogen is possible, perhaps jeopardizing native species. This finding indicates the urgent need to establish long-term monitoring population programs in order to allow early detection disease-driven changes in the sizes of native populations, allowing the prompt application of conservation practices.This research was conducted under permit of the Servicio Agrı´cola y Ganadero (SAG) and Corporacio´n Nacional Forestal (CONAF) from Chile and supported by the Fundacio´n BBVA (PI: J.B.) and the Natural Environmental Research Council, NERC, UK (PI: M.F.)

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Presence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in feral populations of Xenopus laevis in Chile

et al. 2009

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“…Bellerby (1933) confirmed these observations, and showed that Xenopus injected with alp will lay eggs even outside the normal breeding season. Bellerby (1934) and Shapiro & Zwarenstein (1934) reported on the successful use of Xenopus for the diagnosis of pregnancy. The reliability of the Hogben test was confirmed by Bosman (1937), Crew (1937), Elkan (1938), Landgrebe (1939), Scott (1940), Weisman & Coates (1944a) and others.…”

Section: Biological Testsmentioning

confidence: 98%

Pregnancy Diagnosis

Hobson¹

1966

Reproduction

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“…With the expansion of knowledge regarding amphibian reproduction and development, scientists began experimental manipulation of embryos (Gurdon 2002). In the early 20th century, investigators discovered that injection of urine from pregnant women induced ovulation in African clawed frogs, Xenopus (due to chorionic gonadotropin); thereafter, Xenopus became an integral component of early pregnancy testing (Bellerby 1934;Callery 2006;Shapiro and Zwarenstein 1934). This ability to reliably induce ovulation year-round with hormone injections made Xenopus an ideal choice for developmental studies because it alleviated the constraint of seasonal reproduction.…”

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confidence: 99%

Amphibians Used in Research and Teaching

O’Rourke

2007

ILAR Journal

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Amphibians have long been utilized in scientific research and in education. Historically, investigators have accumulated a wealth of information on the natural history and biology of amphibians, and this body of information is continually expanding as researchers describe new species and study the behaviors of these animals. Amphibians evolved as models for a variety of developmental and physiological processes, largely due to their unique ability to undergo metamorphosis. Scientists have used amphibian embryos to evaluate the effects of toxins, mutagens, and teratogens. Likewise, the animals are invaluable in research due to the ability of some species to regenerate limbs. Certain species of amphibians have short generation times and genetic constructs that make them desirable for transgenic and knockout technology, and there is a current national focus on developing these species for genetic and genomic research. This group of vertebrates is also critically important in the investigation of the inter-relationship of humans and the environment based on their sensitivity to climatic and habitat changes and environmental contamination.

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A Rapid Test for Pregnancy on Xenopus lævis

Cited by 57 publications

References 3 publications

Presence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in feral populations of Xenopus laevis in Chile

Presence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in feral populations of Xenopus laevis in Chile

Pregnancy Diagnosis

Amphibians Used in Research and Teaching

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