Logistics of conducting a chronic study with 24,192 mice

Some of the logistical problems of conducting the ED01 study at the National Center for Toxicological Research are discussed, including problems in site preparation, animal production, support during the execution of the study, pathology support, and data analysis. In order to manage the vast amount of data that would be generated by a 24,192 mouse study, computer-assisted data collection systems and automated data storage and retrieval systems were developed. These systems, along with other procedures at NCTR, made the execution of a study of this magnitude possible and allowed timely experiment management. Preliminary data analysis during the course of the study resulted in a decision to extend the duration of one segment of the study.