Study design and sample sizes for a lacl transgenic mouse mutation assay

Design features that adjust and account for excess variation in a transgenic mouse mutation assay based on a lacl target transgene from E. coli are considered. These features include proper identification of plate, packaging reaction, and animal identifier codes throughout the experimental and analysis phases of the study, “blocking” of exposed and unexposed animals when preparing and plating multiple packaging reactions from the same genomic DNA sample, separating sectored mutant plaques and complete mutant plaques before performing any quantitative analyses, and testing for sources of excess variation attributable to features of the experimental protocol—such as plate‐to‐plate (within packaging reactions), packaging reaction‐to‐packaging reaction (within animals), and animal‐to‐animal (within study). Control and ethylnitrosourea‐treated animal data are presented from a fully designed study in the lacl assay. The study design incorporates many of these experimental principles. Statistical methods to identify excess variability are noted, and the designed study data are used to illustrate the types of variability encountered in practice. A standard statistical test for two‐sample testing is highlighted, from which recommendations are made for sample size selection in future studies. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.