Back in the 1930s and 1940s, the African Clawed Frog was discovered to be a heck of a good pregnancy test. The species is indigenous to southern Africa and is immune to something else indigenous to the region — chytrid fungus. So when the frog was shipped around the world for this medical use, it brought the chytrid fungus along for the ride. Wherever the fungus took root in countless new places around the world, it was fatal to 80% of the new species it encountered. So what’s it really do? See “TBS Program…” post from yesterday. Or here are two articles: a good overview by the Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service and one filled with science jargon by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
September 16, 2007
The Pregnancy Test That Birthed A Global Epidemic
Posted by pleasecroak under Amphibian, Amphibian Ark, Chytrid fungus, Environment, Experts, Frog, Government, News, Wildlife | Tags: African Clawed Frog, Amphibian, Amphibian Ark, CBSG, chytrid, Conservation, Conservation Breeding Specialist Group, endangered, Environment, extinction, Frog, IUCN, pregnancy test, WAZA, Wildlife, World Association of Zoos and Aquariums |[9] Comments
September 17, 2007 at 1:33 pm
How ironic that procreative concern results in a plague!
Great blog, great idea.
And also great, Jeff, to know what you’re up to!
September 17, 2007 at 2:53 pm
Jeff,
Love the blog so far. It’s a great resource to share with folks trying to understand the crisis. Quick and easy to understand. I’m waiting for the detailed post on how the pregnancy test worked…everytime I hear that, I wonder…
September 17, 2007 at 6:10 pm
Beth, here’s a slate.com story that probably explains everything you wanted to know about how a frog can help tell if somebody’s pregnant. Thanks for asking. Keep those cards and letters coming! http://www.slate.com/id/2134212/
September 17, 2007 at 6:12 pm
Oh, and Katy, I’m ready to hop over to thinking, with you, about the greater good of EUCC.
September 18, 2007 at 2:08 pm
So I am finally looking at your blog and it is really cool Dad! I think I understand now…
September 18, 2007 at 10:43 pm
So Dad’s not as crazy as you thought? Man, I’m on a roll!
September 21, 2007 at 12:30 am
Very cool blog, Jeff. The Amphibian Ark is lucky to have such a passionately dedicated communicator on board! p.s. I’d like to know more about how the pregnancy test worked too, please.
July 29, 2010 at 1:02 pm
Pregnancy test results can be better found with protein activin B
The pregnancy test accuracy can be found in the journals of Edinburgh University’s test reports where researchers have claimed that women with one aborted pregnancy lack protein activin B when compared to normal pregnancies.
IN A move that is aimed at curbing the unwanted pregnancies and improve antenatal care India has so far distributed 65 million pregnancy test strips amongst the women in the rural belt……
Read More On >> Pregnancy Tips
August 1, 2012 at 1:58 pm
Really thanks for such a great information regarding pregnancy tips. It’s been really very helpful to me. Again like to say thanks a lit
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