Application of frog embryo teratogenesis assay-Xenopus to ecological risk assessment

An expert workshop recently was convened to consider the frog embryo teratogenesis assay-Xenopus (FETAX) as a screening method for identifying the potential developmental toxicity of single chemicals and chemical mixtures. One recommendation from the workshop was that, in order to determine the utility of FETAX for ecological risk assessments, additional consideration of how the assay is conducted is necessary. In addition, a comparative evaluation would be useful of FETAX endpoints (i.e., survival, malformations, growth) versus each other, endpoints from aquatic toxicity tests using more commonly tested species of cladocerans and fish, and tests with other amphibian species. This review provides an evaluation and critique of the current FETAX protocol from two perspectives: Practical considerations relative to conducting the test and sensitivity of the assay (and associated endpoints) compared to tests with other species. Several aspects of the current standard protocol, including test temperature, diet, loading rates, and chemical exposure options, need to be modified to ensure that the assay is robust technically. Evaluation of FETAX data from the open literature indicates that growth is the most sensitive endpoint in the assay, followed by malformations and then survival; unfortunately, the growth endpoint often is not considered or reported in the assay. Comparison of FETAX data with acute toxicity data from tests with other amphibians or traditional aquatic test species indicates FETAX is relatively insensitive. This suggests that environmental risk assessments using acute hazard data from tests with traditional aquatic test species usually would be more protective of native amphibian species than risk assessments that use hazard data from FETAX.