Biochemical-functional parameters of red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852) Crustacea, Cambaridae female throughout a seasonal cycle in southeast Brazil

ABSTRACT Procambarus clarkii is a freshwater crayfish native to the southern central United States and northern Mexico. In Brazil, it is only present in natural environment in the state of São Paulo. Nutritional and reproductive markers were quantified and characterized, as well as intermediate metabolism and oxidative balance in females of P. clarkii collected in a natural environment over a seasonal cycle. Samples of hemolymph and different tissue were obtained. The degree of gastric repletion presented the highest rates in the spring. An investment in reproduction was detected in the summer, when the energy reserves of the hepatopancreas were mobilized for gonadal maturation, and a higher percentage of mature gonads were observed. In the same period, we observed an increase in lipoperoxidation, despite the increased activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione S-transferase in muscle and gonads. An increase in the levels of lipoperoxidation and glutathione S-transferase was observed in winter.