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Fifteen specimens of adult mussels Pernaperna were analyzed quarterly for antioxidant and detoxifying enzymes (superoxide dismutase, SOD, EC1.15.1.1; catalase, CAT, EC 1.11.1.6, and glutathione S-transferase GST, EC 2.5.1.18), and non-enzymatic antioxidants (reduced glutathione, GSH; oxidized glutathione, GSSG; and total glutathione, TG), thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS) content, and oxygen consumption of the isolated digestive gland. Significant differences (P<0.05) were found in relation to the variables analyzed during May and December. Except total and reduced glutathione content, the other antioxidants and oxygen consumption were enhanced in May and December compared to March and September (means±S.E.M.; grams of wet weight): Catalase (28.5±2.7, 22.2±5.4, and 8.1±1.7, 9.8±2.0 mmol min⁻¹ g⁻¹, respectively); superoxide dismutase (4208.7±400.0, 1543.3±181.8, and 563.6 …