The Non-Human Primate Sample Size Calculator: a design tool for longitudinal research projects

Abstract

Nonhuman primates (NHP) are crucial models of human health and disease and offer the opportunity to bridge the gap between basic research and the clinic. Given the ethical considerations, high costs, and logistical constraints associated with NHP studies, careful planning is essential to maximize scientific rigor while minimizing animal use. Statistical power calculations, to determine optimal sample size, require knowing the expected number of animals at each timepoint, a challenge for longitudinal studies that must account for natural deaths or disease during a study. Here, we leveraged data from a recent study detailing NHP life- and healthspans to develop a web-based NHP study design tool, available at midas.wakehealth.edu. For 11 NHP species relevant to biomedical research, users can provide study details to generate estimates of sample counts based on natural healthspan trajectories. We envision this tool being used by colony managers and investigators for both study design and monitoring colony health over the course of a study.