Seasonal Evolution of Total Antioxidative Status in Two Species of Semi-aquatic Turtles

The intention of this study it was to monitoring the seasonally evolution of Total Antioxidative Status in two semi aquatic turtle species: Trachemys scripta elegans and Emys orbicularis. In both studied tortoise species the total antioxidant status was maximum during hibernation, realized a delicate balance between hibernal stress and protective antioxidant system. The reference values of Total Antioxidative Status for active human population in Europe are between 1.30 - 1.77 mmol/l, thus we can consider that in semi aquatic turtles the antioxidant system is very efficient and this directs us to formulate the next question: Is the operational efficiency of the antioxidant system the reason that makes it possible for these animals to reach high ages? To our knowledge this is the first time when the total antioxidant status was monitored in semi aquatic turtles.