We are Xenopus laevis
frogs, commonly referred to as South African clawed frogs. The animal
lab technicians take good care of us. They do this by ensuring that
our environment remains stable even though the seasons are changing outside
of our little room. This entails keeping the room temperature, humidity,
and light exposure within a specified range.
Female frogs are larger
in size and have a protrusion between their legs called cloaca. They
also have smooth hands as opposed to the males. The males have rough
hands so that during mating they can grab a hold of the female stimulate
egg deposition as we ejaculate sperm.
The females are injected
with the pregnant mare gonadotropins to stimulate egg maturation, and human
gonadotropins (HCG) to induce egg laying. Females are induced to
lay eggs every 3 months as dictated by the mammals.
Before HCG is injected,
the females are put into a saline solution to prevent infection and protect
the eggs once they are layed.
The albino frogs lay colorless
eggs that are used in colorometric assays where the dye is more apparent.
The wild type eggs are used in both egg extract and embryo experiments.