Oxidatide stress during re-immersion of the king crab Lithodes santolla (Molina, 1782) (Decapoda: Anomura: Lithodidae) after air exposure

Abstract

We studied the recovery of males of the commercially important king crab Lithodes santolla (Molina, 1782) once re-immersed after 24 h of air exposure (T) at 8 °C. The studied parameters were the enzymatic defenses superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase; the non-enzymatic antioxidants ascorbic acid and total glutathione; the oxidative stress parameters lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation; and glucose and haemolymphatic pH. Samples of gills, muscle, hepatopancreas, and haemolymph were taken before re-immersion (T + 0 h) and at T + 0.5 h, T + 2 h, T + 8 h, and T + 24 h after re-immersion. A control group was not exposed to air. Acidification and hyperglycemia were generally observed after air exposure, indicating a change to anaerobic metabolism. At T + 0.5 h after re-immersion, the enzymatic antioxidant defense system in all tissues generally increased as a response to reperfusion. At T + 24 h after re-immersion the antioxidant defense system and levels of glucose and pH recovered to values observed in the control group in all tissues. Lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation were variable but in none of the tissues did the parameters exceed those of the control group. Results indicate the capability of recovery of L. santolla and the possibility of transporting crabs without water.