Division 2.5 GROWTH STIMULATION

Growth stimulation (negative inhibition) at low concentrations is sometimes observed. This can result from either hormesis (toxic stimulation) or from addition of stimulating growth factors with the test material to the minimal medium used. Note that the addition of inorganic nutrients should not have any direct effect because the test medium should maintain a surplus of nutrients throughout the test. Low dose stimulation can usually be ignored in EC₅₀ calculations unless it is extreme. However, if it is extreme, or an EC_x value for low x is to be calculated, special procedures may be needed. Deletion of stimulatory responses from the data analysis should be avoided if possible, and if available curve fitting software cannot accept minor stimulation, linear interpolation with bootstrapping can be used. If stimulation is extreme, use of a hormesis model may be considered (19).