Alterations in antioxidant defence in the early life stages of silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix

Abstract

Fish larvae experience major cellular and biochemical changes during their early life stages.The aim of the present study was to evaluate alterations in the antioxidant status and values oflipid peroxidation and vitamin C content during the different life developmental stages ofHypophthalmichthys molitrix. Eggs and larvae were sampled at fertilization, organogenesis,eyed egg, hatch, active feeding, and 14 and 21 days after active feeding. An age dependentsignificant variation in SOD activity was seen during the period of study as the highest activityrecorded at the eyed egg stage (P 0.05). The overall trend of MDA concentration showedsignificant increase from fertilization toward 21 days after fertilization (P<0.05). Vitamin Ccontent showed an opposite pattern and decreased during the period of study (P<0.05). It can beconcluded that vitamin C plays a crucial role in the antioxidant defence system during the earlylife stages of H. molitrix as could prevent from increase of MDA content till active feeding.