Advancing animal welfare: A natural mating protocol for Xenopus laevis (2025)

Menegola, E., Di Renzo, F., Bacchetta, R. et al.

Abstract

The amphibian Xenopus laevis is an alternative animal model for developmental biology and toxicology. The Frog Embryo Teratogenesis Assay-Xenopus (FETAX) stands as a validated test for ecotoxicology and chemical hazard characterization. Conventionally, fertilized eggs are obtained through adult hormonal injection. In adherence to the 3R principles, our proposed method offers the opportunity to obtain embryos through natural amplexus, rearing adults in controlled conditions that replicate the most favourable environmental parameters.