Using the Comet Assay for Determining Toxicity of New Pesticides

This paper summarizes the current status in use of the Comet assay for determining heritable toxicity of new pesticides. In addition, the Comet assay was used to detect DNA damage in mice erythroblast and seminal cells by ZJ 0273 and 4 other herbicides representing the pyrimidine benzylamides, new herbicide family. Optimum experimental conditions for the Comet assay were explored, and the sensitivities of different cell types were compared in order to establish a standard operating procedure (SOP) for the Comet assay and facilitate widespread use of this assay in heritable toxicity studies with new pesticides.