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Table 1 provides a summary of information gathered regarding the number of animals used in the LLNA and the GPMT and the time involved in conducting the test. The revised protocol supplied by Gerberick et al. (1998) states that groups of four or five mice per dose group are used, depending on whether the lymph nodes will be pooled by treatment group or whether individual animal nodes will be scored. A control group and three to five testing groups are evaluated. Therefore, the total number of animals used in the LLNA for testing one chemical ranges from 16 to 30. The revised protocol indicates that the LLNA takes 7 days to conduct, as calculated from the time of initial treatment to the time that ³HTdR incorporation into lymph nodes is determined.

Based on information provided in Klecak (1996) regarding procedures for conducting the GPMT, 20 test and 10 to 20 control guinea pigs are used. A pilot study using two to three animals is recommended to determine appropriate concentrations. Therefore, the total number of animals used in the GPMT ranges from 32 to 43. The time to conduct the GPMT is 25 days, as calculated from the time of the initial induction to the observation time 48 hours after removal of the challenge patch. Adding a one week period for the pilot study increases the length to a total of 32 days.

* Includes 7-day toxicity test

Table 2 presents a comparison of the animal cost associated with conducting the LLNA and GPMT. Costs per animal are presented based the 1998 price lists for the laboratories supplying the animals. For the LLNA, Jackson Laboratories, Bar Harbor, ME quoted the cost of a 6-week-old CBA/J mouse as $10.05. Using the number of animals as specified in Table 1, the animal cost associated with conducting the LLNA ranges from $160.80 to $301.50.

For the GPMT, the cost of one 400 to 450 gram outbred Crl:(Ha)BR Hartley guinea pig, as quoted by Charles River Laboratories, MA, is $57.25. When the number of animals necessary to conduct the test is factored in, the animal cost associated with conducting the GPMT ranges from $1,832.00 to $2,461.75.

Table 3 outlines cost estimates for conducting the LLNA and the GPMT. Illinois Institute of Technology Research Institute, IL (IITRI, 1998) quoted the costs of conducting the LLNA as $6,900 if one chemical is tested and $4,950 each if two chemicals are tested. WIL Research Laboratories, Inc., Ashland, OH (1998) provided a written estimate of $6,000 for conducting the LLNA regardless of the number of chemicals tested. IITRI stated that, in their particular situation, disposal costs were not increased due to the need to dispose of radioactive carcasses.

IITRI’s estimate of the cost for conducting the GPMT was $6,000 to $7,000 regardless of the number of chemicals tested (IITRI, 1998). No other estimates were collected for the GPMT.

These cost estimates do not appear to reflect the actual cost to conduct each of the assays, however, judging by the differences in time to conduct each of the tests (Table 1) and the differences in animal costs (Table 2).

Charles River Laboratories, Inc. 1998. CRL Product Catalogue.

Gerberick, G. F., I. Kimber, and D. A. Basketter. 1998. Sample Protocol: Standard Operating Procedure, the Local Lymph Node Assay (LLNA). (Supplied as a replacement for the protocol provided in the Local Lymph Node Assay ICCVAM Submission).

IITRI. 1998. Phone conversation between Robert House, IITRI, and Bonnie Carson, ILS, Inc. (NICEATM), on June 1, 1998 regarding a comparison of prices between the LLNA and the GPMT.

Jackson Laboratories. 1998. Phone conversation between the customer service representative, Jackson Laboratories, and Karen Haneke, ILS, Inc. (NICEATM), on July 15, 1998 regarding the cost of CBA/J mice.

Klecak, G. 1996. Chapter 34: Test methods for allergic contact dermatitis in animals. In: F. N. Marzulli and H. I. Maibach (Eds.), Dermatotoxicology, 5th ed. Taylor and Francis, Washington, DC. pp. 437-459.

WIL Research Laboratories, Inc. 1998. Written cost proposal for conducting the LLNA prepared by Tom Kern. Received by Karen Haneke, ILS, Inc. (NICEATM) on July 13, 1998, by fax.

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