Establishing and maintaining a xenopus laevis colony for research laboratories

Abstract

This Chapter describes in detail the construction and maintenance of a Xenopus laevis colony. It covers Xenopus husbandry, facility design and construction, necessary maintenance protocols, and monitoring/disaster recovery procedures. Facility components and management protocols described within this chapter are based on our experience with the frog colony at The Forsyth Center for Regeneration and Developmental Biology as well as the information obtained from many other investigators. The system described in this chapter is AAALAC accredited and provides a steady supply of embryology-quality eggs and ensures excellent water quality and adult frog care. This information is a complete guide, allowing a new investigator to begin work with this powerful model species that has resulted in profound advances in developmental, cell, and cancer biology. © 2008 Humana Press Inc.