Methods for investigating the larval period and metamorphosis in xenopus

Abstract

Anuran metamorphosis resembles postembryonic development in mammals, a period around birth when many organs/tissues mature into their adult form as circulating thyroid and stress hormone levels are high. Unlike uterus-enclosed mammalian embryos, tadpoles develop externally and undergo the dramatic changes of hormone-dependent development totally independent of maternal influence, making them a valuable model in which to study vertebrate postembryonic organ development and maturation. Various protocols have been developed and/or adapted for studying metamorphosis in Xenopus laevis and X. tropicalis, two highly related and well-studied frog species. Here, we introduce some of the methods for contemporary cell and molecular studies of gene function and regulation during metamorphosis.