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Abstract
Understanding aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) toxicity has been of major interest since its a common contaminant in agricultural food crops and also an acute genotoxic and carcinogenic agent in humans. Though previous studies extensively described AFB1 toxicity in many model systems, no study shows transgenerational effects of AFB1 in vivo. We explored the effects of AFB1 treatment on growth, generation time, and brood size in F0, F1 and F2 generations of Caenorhabditis elegans. AFB1 exposure exhibited a dose-dependent reduction in brood size, growth, and mean generation time in the F0 generation. A dose-dependent reduction in body length and brood size was observed in F1 C. elegans and the mean generation time extended significantly (p < 0.01) in the highest dose group. F2 generation results showed less effects on growth and reproduction. Data from this thesis will provide new insight of adverse health effects of potential AFB1 exposure in animals and humans.