Development, standardization and refinement of procedures for evaluating effects of endocrine active compounds on development and sexual differentiation of Xenopus laevis.
Xenopus laevis has been introduced as a model to study effects of endocrine-active compounds (EAC) on development and sexual differentiation. However, variable and inconsistent data have raised questions about the reliability of the test methods applied. The current study was conducted in two laboratories to develop, refine, and standardize procedures and protocols. Larvae were exposed in flow-through systems to 17beta-estradiol (E2), at concentrations from 0.2 to 6.0 microg E2 L(-1) in Experiment 1A, and 0.015 to 2.0 microg E2 L(-1) in Experiment 1B. In both studies survival (92%, 99%) and percentage of animals that completed metamorphosis (97%, 99%) indicated reproducible biological performance. Furthermore, minor variations in husbandry led to significant differences in snout-to-vent length, weight, and gonad size. In Experiment 1A, almost complete feminization occurred in all E2 treatment groups whereas a concentration response was observed in Experiment 1B resulting in an EC(50) of 0.12 microg E2 L(-1). The final verified protocol is suitable for determining effects of EAC on development and sexual differentiation in X. laevis.
Lutz
Ilka
I
Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Mueggelseedamm 301, 12587, Berlin, Germany. ilka.lutz@igb-berlin.de
Kloas
Werner
W
Springer
Timothy A
TA
Holden
Larry R
LR
Wolf
Jeff C
JC
Krueger
Henry O
HO
Hosmer
Alan J
AJ
D000818:Animals; D001681:Biological Assay / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D007814:Larva / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D008297:Male; D008675:Metamorphosis, Biological / Q000187:drug effects; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012733:Sex Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors; D014982:Xenopus laevis / Q000254:growth & development*
D052244:Endocrine Disruptors