Crayfish Procambarus clarkii shows circadian variations in different parameters of the GSH cycle.

The present study investigated the rhythmic changes in glutathione status in midgut gland and hemolymph as well as in glutathione reductase (GR) activity in the crayfish Procambarus clarkii. In order to determine the circadian nature of these rhythms different groups of crayfish were submitted to constant-darkness conditions for 24 or 72 h after they had spent 15 days under light-dark 12:12 cycles. The animals of the different batches were killed at 6 h intervals during a 24 h cycle. Reduced glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) in hemolymph and midgut as well as midgut GR activity were determined in midgut gland and hemolymph by fluorometric and spectrophotometric method. Data analysis by chronogram and single Cosinor revealed circadian rhythmicity for GSH and GSSG concentration in both tissues as well as midgut GR activity. The rhythm parameters revealed oxidative stress induced by light. The possible correlation between the glutathione rhythm and other metabolic and behavioral rhythms of crayfish as well as the importance of the glutathione circadian temporal order in the adaptation of crayfish are discussed.