Toxic effects of an anionic detergent on the lipid constituents of various cell types of the gill epithelium of Rita rita: a histochemical investigation.

Rita rita exposed to a concentration of 6.9 mg per liter (96-h LC50 of an anionic detergent, dodecylbenzene sodium sulfonate) exhibited a gradual decrease in the lipid moieties of the epithelial cells, club cells, and goblet mucous cells lining the gill arch and gill filament epithelium. However, in time, no reaction of any of the lipid moieties could be observed, indicating the absence of the same, using various histochemical techniques. The results are discussed in light of the mechanistic understanding of detergent action.