STRUCTURAL ALTERATIONS IN ISOLATED HEPATOCYTES INDUCED BY THE HERBICIDES PARAQUAT, DINOSEB AND 2,4-D

The effects promoted by the herbicides paraquat, dinoseb and 2,4-D on the ultrastructure of isolated hepatocytes are reported. The major mor phological alterations occurred in mitochondria. After incubation with the herbicides, the electron density of the matrix deceased and mitoc hondria appeared swollen with fractured cristae. Additionally, the end oplasmic reticulum became swollen and vesiculated. These structural al terations are in agreement with functional changes of mitochondrial bi ochemical activities involved in energy transduction and conservation, as previously reported.