Influence of surfactants upon the electrical characteristics of frog skin "in situ"

Anionic, cationic and non ionic surfactants decrease both electrical potential difference and short circuit current of frog skin "in situ", as already proved for the isolated skin. Some kinds of surfactants affect also the transcutaneous resistance. The effect seems to be of a double nature. High surfactant concentrations or a long exposure decrease the resistance of the shunt path while with low concentrations or short exposures the series resistance is increased. Active sodium pump is also affected.