The present study demonstrates tissue-specific (hemolymph and fat body) and inter-voltine [bivoltine (BV) and trivoltine (TV)] differences in oxidatively damaged products, H2O2 content, and the relative level of antioxidant protection in the diapausing pupae of Antheraea mylitta. Results suggest that fat body (FB) of both the voltine groups has oxidative predominance, as evident from the high value of lipid peroxidation and H2O2 content, despite better enzymatic defenses in comparison to hemolymph (HL). This may be attributed to the higher metabolic rate of the tissue concerned, concomitant with high lipid content and abundance of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Nondetectable catalase activity in the pupal hemolymph of both strains apparently suggests an additional mechanism for H2O2 metabolism in the tissue. Inter-voltine comparison of the oxidative stress indices and antioxidant defense potential revealed that the TV group has a higher oxidative burden, lower activities for the antioxidant enzymes, and compensatory nonenzymatic protection from reduced glutathione and ascorbic acid.

No abstract

The non-mulberry silkworm, Antheraea mylitta Drury, 1773, is important for the silk industry. Its larvae are phytophagous and pass through five stages (1st-5th instar) during larval development. Cellular events during their development contribute to increased levels of pro-oxidants. Antioxidant defences are, therefore, of critical importance in minimising oxidative damage. Thus, in the present study, stage-specific oxidative challenges and relative levels of antioxidant defences have been assessed during the larval development of A. mylitta. The overall results indicate a progressive decrease in oxidative threat during larval ontogeny. Comparatively high activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) observed in the 1st instar larvae indicates an adaptive antioxidant response, which could attenuate the elevated oxidative challenges. CAT activity remained unaltered in the midgut during transformation of the larvae from 4th-5th instar, and it was below detection level in serum. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity did not exhibit a specific trend; however, it showed tissue specificity in advanced larvae. Glutathione (GSH) content was progressively enhanced during development and exhibited a compensatory function with ascorbic acid (ASA), thus substantiating the role of a GSH-ASA redox couple. Findings of the study imply that early larvae (1st-3rd instar) encounter considerable degrees of pro-oxidative assault and get protection from enzymatic antioxidants. In contrast, advanced larvae receive combined protection from enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants. Therefore, it is assumed that oxidative stress during larval development of A. mylitta is stage-specific and, accordingly, the antioxidant defences are strategic in providing protection to the developing larvae.