Obtaining Embryos

Whenever handling X. tropicalis, we recommend wearing gloves (powder-free). X. tropicalis have been shown to harbor mycobacterial infections. While we have had no instances of laboratory transmission of mycobacterial disease from frogs to humans, we recommend wearing gloves. Currently, we believe the risk of human infection of mycobacteria from frogs is quite low and the symptoms would be mild (cutaneous ulcer). Nevertheless, avoiding infection remains the goal, so we recommend gloves as protection. For the protection of the frogs, it is important that the gloves be powder-free.

Inducing Ovulation with Human Chorionic Gonadotropin(HCG)

Preparing HCG for injection

This protocol is also included in the Obtaining Xenopus tropicalis by In Vitro Fertilization

High Salts Protocol

To prolong the viability of eggs before IVF

High Salts Protocol

Removing Jelly Coat Protocol

De-Jelly Embryos

Identifying fertilized eggs

Fertilized eggs (green asterisk) rotate so the animal pole faces up. The pigment coalesces at the sperm entry point. Embryos advancing to two cell stage (blue asterisk) develop a cleavage furrow. Unfertilized eggs (red asterisk) do not rotate and pigment remains diffuse.