Carly Anne York: Why were scientists so obsessed with these frogs?

Why were scientists so obsessed with these frogs?

In the early 20th century, pregnancy testing required a slippery piece of equipment: a female African clawed frog. For decades, hospitals and research labs had a trusted supply of these handy creatures, employing their help in testing for pregnancy and in numerous other scientific endeavors. So what makes these frogs so special? Carly Anne York shares the secrets of these remarkable amphibians. [Directed by Yajun Shi, narrated by Alexandra Panzer, music by Cem Misirlioglu, Greg Chudzik].

For decades, the African clawed frog was the surprising centerpiece of pregnancy tests, as hospitals relied on these amphibians to detect human hormones. A single frog could confirm pregnancy in hours without the need for animal sacrifice, making reliable tests widely available by the mid-20th century. These adaptable creatures also advanced developmental biology and even traveled to space. However, their global spread led to ecological problems, including the devastation of native amphibians by disease.