Abstract
Xenopus tropicalis has many advantages as a next-generation model animal for biological research. However, the temperature tolerance range of this frog is narrow, making transportation of live specimens difficult under extreme air temperatures in the summer and winter. This seasonal constraint diminishes the usefulness of X. tropicalis as an experimental animal, so an improved transportation method is required. To overcome this challenge, we conducted: (1) survival experiments under extreme temperature conditions; (2) tests of thermal retention abilities of a unique transport container system; and (3) actual transport experiments. Survival experiments indicated that 14–31C was a safe temperature range for 48-h survival of adult X. tropicalis (48 hours corresponds to the standard domestic transport time expected for delivery service companies in Japan). The container system built here was able to maintain safe temperatures over 72 h when outside temperatures were extreme, and it worked better in combination with a plastic box frog cage. The effectiveness of the transport container was demonstrated by actual transport experiments performed during the summer and winter. The survival rates of the frogs were 100% with the container system. Because the transport container can maintain mild temperatures internally over 72 h, this container system can be used to transport many different temperature-sensitive organisms.
