Environmental and physiological variations influence the steady-state concentration of free oxygen radicals in cells. Because of the seasonal life cycle of Lithodes santolla in the Beagle Channel, a baseline study of the antioxidant physiological variations along the seasons is necessary for a better understanding of its ecophysiology. The aim of this study was to evaluate the seasonal variations in gills, hemolymph, muscle and hepatopancreas of the: i) enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione transferase; ii) ascorbic acid and total glutathione; iii) lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation; iv) glucose, proteins and pH. Seasonality found in the antioxidant defense system of L. santolla from the Beagle Channel acts in a collaborative way during the most relevant life cycle phases (reproduction and molting), avoiding a long term oxidative stress. The antioxidant system also shows changes in the enzymatic activities likely caused by the environmental factors, such as low temperatures during winter and spring seasons.
Keywords: Antioxidant; Biomarker; Decapod; Reactive oxygen species; Seasonal; Sub-Antarctic.
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