test plans—created by SAIC—for Cycles 2–6.² A detailed protocol is not available for Cycle 1. Cycle 1 laboratory methods are discussed in the original protocol (AFHS, 1982); they are also briefly described in the Cycle 2 biomedical test plan (SAIC, 1985) where shift in laboratory techniques or methods between Cycles 1 and 2 is discussed.

Table 4-1 provides summary counts of the types and quantities of biological specimens collected in each cycle. Sera were stored in all six cycles and aliquot volumes varied by cycle ranging from 2 to 10 ml per aliquot. The number of aliquots per subject also varied ranging from 1 to 10 vials in Cycle 1, 3 vials in Cycles 2 and 6, 2 vials in Cycle 3, and 4 vials in Cycles 4 and 5. In Cycle 6, ten 1-ml aliquots of whole blood were also stored with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) as an anticoagulant. There was no separation of white blood cells.