The analysis of red blood cell dynamics during metamorphosis of Xenopus laevis

在两栖动物的变态过程中，大部分器官和组织都被重塑。红细胞也会从幼虫型转变为成虫型，但调节这种转变的机制在很大程度上是未知的。在本研究中，我认为不是甲状腺激素，而是促红细胞生成素诱导了非洲爪蟾的红细胞转化。我还发现，非洲爪蟾的红细胞转变并不与变态同步，这与其他陆生无尾动物的情况形成鲜明对比。这表明控制爪蟾转变的机制不同于其他物种。

During amphibian metamorphosis, most of the organs and tissues are remodeled. The red blood cells are also remodeled from larval type to adult type, but the mechanism regulating this switch is largely unknown. In this study, I suggest that not thyroid hormone, but erythropoietin induces the red blood cell transition in Xenopus laevis. I also found that the red blood cell transition in Xenopus does not synchronize to metamorphosis, showing striking contrast to the case in other terrestrial anuran species. This would suggest that the mechanism governs the transition in Xenopus is distinct from those in other species.