Ignoring these sources of variability risks overlooking subtle effects and vulnerable subpopulations, misinterpreting outcomes, and reducing the translational value of animal studies. We argue that incorporating intralitter variables into experimental design and statistical analyses enhances the accuracy, reproducibility, and interpretability of developmental toxicology research. By refining the use of animal models in line with the 3Rs framework, researchers can maximize the information gained per pregnancy and improve risk assessment for human maternal-fetal health.
Brown et al. (Wed,) studied this question.