Abstract: The present study was to use modified comet assay to detect DNA damage induced by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in duckling hepatic cells. Ducklings were administered orally with AFB1 and the samples of liver cells were isolated at 2 h post treatment. The modified comet assay was performed and the DNA damage was determined by an increase in the comet parameters in tested animals. The results showed that AFB1 exposure could significantly increase tail length, the percentage of tail DNA (tail DNA%), tail moment and Olive tail moment compared with blank and solvent control, indicating that the assay can be used for the assessment of primary DNA damage caused by AFB1. The result also suggested that the modified comet assay performed liver cells was a valuable genotoxic marker for exposure to AFB1 in duckling.

Key words: aflatoxin B1; comet assay; DNA damage; duckling