Artificial fertilization of gametes from the South African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis

Abstract

Abstract A reproducible and effective method for fertilization eggs of Xenopus laevis was developed based of systematic manipulation of environmental factors. The effects of varying concentrations of individual components of a fertilization medium were tested by measuring jelly swelling, sperm motility, and sperm longevity. Results were used to develop an improved medium for fertilization, consisting of 41.25 mM NaCl, 1.25 mM KCl, 0.25 mM CaCl 2 , 0.0625 mM MgCl 2 , 0.5 mM Na 2 HPO 4 , 2.5 mM HEPES, 1.9 mM NaOH, final pH(2°) 7.8.