Objective：To investigate the effect of histone deacetylation modification on early embryogenesis and three germ-layer diffierentiation of Xenopus laevis. Methods：Two-cell embryos were treated with 400 nmol/L Trichostation A（TSA）to observe early embryogenesis and expression of three germ layer marker genes by whole-mount in situ hybridization. Micro-injection of histone deacetylase 1（HDAC1）specific antisense oligonucleotide（HDAC1MO）was performed to knockdown HDAC1. The expression of three germ layer marker genes was detected by whole-mount in situ hybridization. Results：Embryos treated with 400 nmol/L TSA showed developmental defects. The expression of three germ layer marker genes were affected in embryos treated with TSA or knockdown of HDAC1. Conclusion：Histone deacetylase is involved in germ-layer differentiation during early embryogenesis.