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Comparative sensitivity of Xenopus tropicalis and Xenopus laevis as test species for the FETAX model
Author(s) -
Fort Douglas J.,
Rogers Robert L.,
Thomas John H.,
Buzzard Brody O.,
Noll Andra M.,
Spaulding Clinton D.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of applied toxicology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.784
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1099-1263
pISSN - 0260-437X
DOI - 10.1002/jat.997
Subject(s) - xenopus , semicarbazide , biology , atrazine , ethanol , toxicity , developmental toxicity , toxicology , biochemistry , pesticide , chemistry , genetics , ecology , organic chemistry , gene , pregnancy , gestation
The use of Xenopus tropicalis as an alternative test species for the Frog Embryo Teratogenesis Assay — Xenopus (FETAX) model was evaluated. Five test substances with varying developmental toxicity potential were evaluated using the traditional FETAX ( X. laevis ) and a modied assay to accommodate the use of X. tropicalis . Two separate denitive concentration–response tests were performed with ethanol, semicarbazide, copper, 6‐aminonicotinamide (6‐AN) and atrazine. In order to evaluate the impact of culture temperature on species sensitivity, tests with X. tropicalis were performed concurrently at 27 °C (optimum temperature) and 23 °C (traditional FETAX temperature). Tests with X. laevis were performed only at 23 °C (optimal for X. laevis ). Regardless of culture temperature, tests with X. laevis and X. tropicalis indicated that each of the compounds possessed teratogenic potential: semicarbazide>6‐AN>atrazine≈copper>ethanol. Results from these studies indicated that these two species responded similarly to the test compounds. Xenopus tropicalis was somewhat less sensitive to 6‐AN, semicarbizide and atrazine when tested at 27 °C than at 23 °C. Ethanol, copper and atrazine were reasonably equipotent in X. tropicalis and X. laevis in terms of teratogenic response ( ec 50 for malformation), whereas 6‐AN and semicarbizide were less potent in X. tropicalis than in X. laevis . No substantial differences (order of magnitude) in potency were observed between X. laevis and X. tropicalis with any of the test materials evaluated. Malformation syndromes induced in both species were similar in X. tropicalis and X. laevis . These results suggested that X. tropicalis could be used effectively as a test organism for the FETAX model. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.