Superoxide dismutase, thermal respiratory acclimation, and growth in an earthworm, Eisenia foetida.
The superoxide dismutase activity units/mg protein were determined for earthworms (Eisenia foetida) acclimated at 15°, 22.5° and 30°C. Worms acclimated at 15° gave a value of SOD units significantly lower than those acclimated at 30°. Those at 22.5° gave an intermediate value. SOD activity units of the anterior, mid and posterior regions showed no indication of the classical U-shaped axial gradient of respiration. SOD levels increased as O₂uptake increased, though to a lesser extent, indicating that SOD levels are somehow tied to metabolic rate even if not in a one to one relationship. The increased ratio of SOD/specific metabolic rate of 15° compared to 30° acclimates implies that at 15° worms have more protection against the superoxide radical and thus would be expected to survive longer.
Goucher College, Baltimore, MD, 21204, USA.
G B
GB
Moment
J M
JM
Tolmasoff
R G
RG
Cutler
D000064:Acclimatization; D000818:Animals; D009835:Oligochaeta / Q000201:enzymology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D012119:Respiration; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism*; D013696:Temperature
D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D010100:Oxygen