Worms from the Arctic are better adapted to freezing and high salinity than worms from temperate regions: Oxidative stress responses in Enchytraeus albidus

Enchytraeus albidus is a freeze-tolerant enchytraeid found in diverse habitats, from supra-littoral to terrestrial, and spanning temperate to arctic regions. Thus, this worm is often exposed to sub-zero temperatures and fluctuating salinity regimes that can lead to physiological stress. We therefore studied the oxidative stress by measuring lipid peroxidation, anti-oxidant defenses and neurotransmission activity in E. albidus from arctic (Greenland) and temperate (Germany) regions during a short-term exposure to saline conditions (0, 15, 35 and 50‰ NaCl) and low temperatures (+ 2, − 2 and − 5 °C). Various enzymatic and non-enzymatic oxidative stress markers were analyzed. Results have shown that both salt and freezing caused oxidative stress in E. albidus, particularly from Germany, as confirmed by catalase, glutathione-S-transferase and superoxide dismutase activities and lipid peroxidation levels. Neurotransmission (as judged from acetylcholinesterase activity) was reduced by saline conditions at + 2 °C, but stimulated at − 2 and − 5 °C. Worms from Greenland had relatively higher and more stable levels of antioxidants than worms from Germany, reflecting their higher tolerance of freezing and saline conditions.