Oxidative Status Profile in Different Tissues of Parastacus brasiliensis promatensis (Crustacea, Decapoda, Parastacidae) over a Seasonal Cycle.

The objective of this study was to assess annual redox balance by quantifying activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione S-transferase (GST), as well as measuring lipid peroxidation levels by determination of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, in different tissues of male and female crayfish collected from an area little affected by anthropogenic impacts. A total of 37 male and 32 female of Parastacus brasiliensis promatensis were collected over an annual cycle, and gill, muscle, hepatopancreas, and gonad samples were harvested and subjected to the aforementioned analyses via spectrophotometry. Comparison of the annual oxidative status response profile in gill and in hepatopancreas between males and females revealed differences only in SOD activity. In abdominal muscle, this comparison revealed a distinct profile of SOD and GST activity, as well as of lipid peroxidation. SOD activity in gonads of females increased in the summer when compared to autumn; conversely, CAT and GST levels did not differ over the year. During reproduction, a possible increase of the energy requirements led to an increase in lipid peroxidation in all tested tissues, in males and females alike. It was least evident in female gonad tissue, which suggests this tissue type is relatively protected; within this context, one may establish a tissue-specific grading of Lipid Peroxidation intensity in females of the species during the spring: gonads < muscle < gills < hepatopancreas. Our results show that the responses of the defenses analyzed antioxidants, as well as lipid peroxidation levels, were sex and tissue dependent and a clear pattern of seasonal variation.