Conventional Test Method:

Prenatal Developmental Toxicity Study (OECD TG 414)

Alternative Test Method:

Name & Description:

Frog Embryo Teratogenesis Assay- Xenopus (FETAX)

A 96-hour whole-embryo developmental toxicity test that uses early-stage embryos of the South African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis) to measure the effects of chemicals on mortality, malformation, and growth inhibition. It has been proposed as a screening assay to identify potential human teratogens and developmental toxicants.

Validation Status:

US: ICCVAM review concluded that FETAX was not sufficiently validated or optimized for regulatory purposes. Future activities were recommended (2000).

Regulatory Status:

None

Effect or Potential Effect on Animal Use:

Replacement

OR

Reduction

References:

• NICEATM-ICCVAM (2000) Background Review Document: Frog Embryo Teratogenesis Assay –Xenopus (FETAX).  Research Triangle Park NC: National Institutes of Health (NIH).
• NICEATM-ICCVAM (2008) Developmental Toxicity, Frog Embryo Teratogenesis Assay–Xenopus (FETAX). Research Triangle Park NC: National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Information Last Reviewed:

May 2012