Appropriate statistical methods should be used to analyse clinical pathology data (Gad
and Weil, 1989) and it must be stressed that concurrent control data are more appropriate
than historical reference ranges for comparison with compound treatment groups.
Regardless of the outcome of statistical analysis, scientific interpretation is paramount for
the ultimate determination of compound effects. Statistical significance alone should not
be used to infer toxicological or biological relevance of clinical pathology findings.
Additionally, the absence of statistical significance should not preclude the possibility
that compound treatment effects exist.