Comparison of the antioxidant defense system in Crassostrea rhizophorae and Crassostrea gigas exposed to domestic sewage discharges

Oysters Crassostrea rhizophorae and Crassostrea gigas were kept for fourteen days at four sites in Sao jose, SC, Brazil, chosen according to a sewage discharge contamination gradient. Enzymatic activities of CAT, GST, G6PDH and GR were evaluated in gills and digestive glands. Higher CAT activity was observed in tissues of C. rhizophorae in response to sewage contamination possibly indicating peroxisome proliferation induction. C. gigas showed elevated G6PDH activity in digestive gland, and GR in gills, after domestic sewage exposure. In conclusion, C. rhizophorae and C. gigas showed different biochemical responses after in situ exposure to domestic sewage. However, C rhizophorae showed more significant changes in CAT suggesting that this organism could be a better monitor to this kind of effluent. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.