SEASONALITY VARIATION OF OXIDATIVE METABOLISM IN GONADS OF Loxechinus albus FROM BEAGLE CHANNE

MALANGA G; PEREZ A; CALVO, J; PUNTARULO, S

Buenos Aires

Jornada; VIII Jornadas Multidisciplinarias de la Sociedad Argentina de Biología; 2006

Sociedad Argentina de Biología

Changes in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on aquatic organisms had been related to environmental or physiological variations. Carotenoids are often found among sea invertebrates and had influence over their coloration. In addition, these carotenoids protect their lipid constituents against oxidation. Loxechinus albus, is a edible sea urchin inhabiting the Beagle Channel. Their gonads have a high value in the gastronomic international market when the proper color and texture are achieved. The aim of this work was to study the oxidative metabolism variations during different stages of the reproductive cycle in the gonads of sea urchins. Ten sea urchins were collected monthly (August 2004 - June 2005) on Beagle Channel (Tierra del Fuego). The gonads were separated and frozen at -40°C. The gonadosomatic index (IG) was used as an indicator of the progression of the reproductive cycle. This value showed a minimum in November. The content of Tiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances- (TBARS), as an index of lipid peroxidation, showed the highest value in October. The content of lipid antioxidant (a-tocopherol and b-carotene) was quantified by reverse-phase HPLC and showed non significant differences over the year. The TBARS content decreased during March and December in coincidence with the increase in IG values, the variation could be related to the reproductive cycle. Such decrease in TBARS content could be linked to the protection afforded by the activity of several antioxidant systems; however it seems that lipid soluble antioxidants are not responsible for this effect since their content was not affected over the tested period.