[Zope] ZODB performance issues

[VanL]

Hello,

We have a script that does a'database import' into the ZODB.  This 
script iterates through a series of records (currently in text files) 
and creates corresponding Zope objects.  We can do small (<100) imports 
relatively well, but on a large import (1000+) the Zope process balloons 
in size and eventually becomes unresponsive.  Sending a SIGHUP to Zope 
restores normal functionality and performance, and the created objects 
all seem to work fine.  However, we don't want to have to restart Zope 
every time we do an import.

My suspicion, based on the above evidence, is that the ZODB caching 
mechanism is to blame for the slowdown.  Can anybody confirm this, or 
offer an alternate explanation?

And, if caching is the culprit, is there a way to programmatically turn 
off caching for the duration of a script run?

Thanks,

VanL