Effect of Salinity on Hemolymph Osmotic Pressure, Sodium Concentration and Na^＋-K^＋-ATPase Activity of Gill of Chinese Crab, Eriocheir sinensis

The effects of salinity on hemolymph osmotic pressure, Na^＋ concentration and Na^＋-K^＋-ATPase activity of gill of Chinese crab Eriocheir sinensis were studied. The results showed that hemolymph osmotic pressure and Na^＋ concentration increased significantly （P〈0.05）, and the Na^＋-K^＋-ATPase activity of gills decreased significantly （P〈0.05） when salinity increased from 0 to 16. The hemolymph osmotic pressure and Na^＋ concentration in each treatment group rose remarkably at 0.125 d or 0.25 d, while the Na^＋-K^＋-ATPase activity of gill reduced gradually with increased experiment time in 3 d. Then the three parameters remained at a constant level after 0.25 d, 0.125 d and 3 d, respectively, and higher hemolymph osmotic pressure, higher Na^＋ concentration and lower Na^＋-K^＋-ATPase activity of gill occurred at higher salinity. The effect of salinity change on protein concentration of hemolymph was indistinct （P〉0.05）; However, the protein concentration decreased gradually with the increase of salinity from 0.25 d to 1d, and then tended to be stable from day 1 to day 15.     

Variations of antioxidant enzyme activity and malondialdehyde content in nemertean Cephalothrix hongkongiensis after exposure to heavy metals

The antioxidant enzyme activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content of Cephalothrix hongkongiensis were studied to assess variations in the biochemical/physiological parameters of nemerteans under heavy metal stress. Worms were exposed to copper, zinc and cadmium solutions at different concentrations, and the activity of three antioxidant enzymes, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and MDA content were measured. The results show that the activity of each enzyme changed immediately after exposure to heavy metals. CAT was invariably inhibited throughout the experimental period, while the SOD activity was significantly elevated by exposure to Cu²⁺ for 48 h, but then decreased. SOD was inhibited by Zn²⁺during the first 12 h of exposure, but activated when exposed for longer periods. Under Cd²⁺ stress, SOD activity decreased within 72 h. GPX activity varied greatly, being significantly increased by both Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺, but significantly inhibited by Cd²⁺ in the first 12–24 h after exposure. MDA content increased on Cu²⁺ exposure, but normally decreased on Zn²⁺ exposure. MDA content followed an increase-decrease-increase pattern under Cd²⁺ stress. In conclusion, the antioxidant system of this nemertean is sensitive to heavy metals, and its CAT activity may be a potential biomarker for monitoring heavy metal levels in the environment.     

低氧胁迫对珍珠龙胆石斑鱼氧化应激及能量代谢的影响

【目的】探究保活运输中低氧胁迫对珍珠龙胆石斑鱼(Epinephelus fuscoguttatus♀×Epinephelus lanceolatus♂)氧化应激的影响。【方法】诱导体质量为(498.2±27.3)g的杂交石斑鱼进入休眠状态,并放置在溶解氧为(1.74±0.21)mg·L^?1的低氧环境下,低氧胁迫0、6、12、24、48、72 h后,取样测定血清应激指标,肌肉、肝脏、鳃组织氧化应激指标及肌肉、肝脏能量利用指标。【结果】低氧胁迫过程中,杂交石斑鱼血糖含量在胁迫6 h时最大,72 h时恢复胁迫前水平;皮质醇含量在胁迫过程均显著高于胁迫前;肌肉超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性随胁迫时间的增加而上升,肝脏、鳃SOD活性先上升后下降;肌肉、肝脏过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性呈先升后降的趋势,鳃CAT活性在胁迫12、72 h显著低于胁迫前;肌肉、肝脏丙二醛(MDA)含量在胁迫过程中均增加,鳃MDA含量先降后升;肌肉谷胱甘肽还原酶(GSH)含量在胁迫12 h达到最大值,肝脏GSH含量呈先上升后下降的趋势,鳃中GSH含量在12 h时显著高于胁迫前,之后逐渐升高;总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)在肌肉、肝脏、鳃中均呈上升的趋势;肌肉和肝脏中糖原的含量显著减少,肌肉乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)活性显著增加,肝脏LDH先降后升。显著性水平均为0.05。【结论】低氧胁迫会刺激珍珠龙胆石斑鱼产生应激反应,影响体内正常的氧化应激系统,并对不同组织造成不同程度的氧化损伤。     

Metabolism of pectenotoxins in brown crabs <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cancer pagurus</Emphasis> fed with blue mussels <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mytilus edulis</Emphasis>

We investigated the metabolism of pectenotoxins in brown crabs(Cancer pagurus).The crabs were fed with blue mussels(Mytilus edulis) for 21 d then depurated for 42 d.We extracted the toxins from the digestive glands of contaminated crabs,uncontaminated crabs(control group),and the meat of blue mussels using methanol.Extracts of the crab digestive glands were fractionated by liquid-liquid partitioning and solid phase extraction.The fractions were analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spec...     

Accumulation and depuration of pectenotoxins in brown crab Cancer pagurus

Pectenotoxins (PTXs) are a group of marine algal toxins. In this study, the accumulation and depuration of pectenotoxins in brown crab Cancer pagurus were investigated. Crabs were fed with toxic blue mussels Mytilus edulis for 21 days and then depurated for 42 days. Toxins were extracted with methanol from the digestive glands of contaminated crabs, uncontaminated crabs (control group) and from blue mussels for comparison. Extracts were analyzed by liquid chromatograph coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS). The concentrations of PTX-2, PTX-2 SA, 7-epi-PTX-2 SA, and PTX-12 were analyzed in two batches of toxic blue mussels and the crabs. A one-compartment model was applied to describe the depuration of PTXs. The half-life of PTXs was estimated to be 6-7.5 days. After depuration for 42 days, the amount of PTXs measured in the crab digestive glands was less than 1 μg/kg.     

Production of Pacific White Shrimp Polycultured with Swimming Crab at Different Densities,and Nutrient Budget in the Enclosure System

This study was to evaluate the effect of stocking densities on the nitrogen and phosphorus budgets for a polyculture of the crab Portunus trituberculatus and the Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei.The shrimps(initial weight,0.012 g)were cultured at a density of 45 shrimp m^-2,and juvenile crabs(initial weight,0.024 g)were cultured at five densities of 0,3,6,9,and 12 crabs m^-2.The treatments were grouped as C0S45,C3S45,C6S45,C9S45,and C12S45,respectively.Water quality parameters,growth of shrimp and crabs,and nitrogen and phosphorus budget were measured.The results indicated that the shrimp performances in polyculture treatments C3S45 and C6S45 were superior to those in the crab-free treatment(C0S45).The crab in treatments C3S45 and C6S45 exhibited a significantly higher final mean weight and carapace width/length than those in treatments C9S45 and C12S45.The final size and survival of crabs had a negative correlation with the increasing crab stocking density.The contents of total phos-phorus and total nitrogen and the comprehensive contamination index values were higher in the C9S45 and C12S45 treatments than in the other treatments.The conversion ratios of nitrogen for crab and shrimp growth in treatment C3S45 were significantly higher than those in the crab-free treatment.These findings indicate that polyculturing shrimp with crabs at suitable densities can improve productivity,profitability,nutrient utilization,and the environmental quality.From the 60-day treatments,the optimal culture densi-ties were 3-6 crabs m^-2 and 45 shrimps m^-2.     

Mercury (Hg2+) effect on enzyme activities and hepatopancreas histostructures of juvenile Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis

We studied the effects of mercury (Hg²⁺) on antioxidant and digestive enzyme activities in terms of LC₅₀ value and on hepatopancreas histostructures of juvenile Chinese mitten crabs Eriocheir sinensis in 40-day exposure to various concentrations of Hg²⁺ (0, 0.01, 0.05, 0.10, 0.20, and 0.30 mg/L). The results show that the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and catalase (CAT) significantly increased in the concentrations of 0.01 and 0.05 mg/L, while that of enzyme decreased in 0.10, 0.20 and 0.30 mg/L treatments. Meanwhile, Hg²⁺ disrupted the histostructures of the hepatopancreas, causing decreases in activities of pepsin, tryptase, amylase, and cellulose, which are synthesized in the hepatopancreas. Moreover, as the Hg²⁺ concentration increased, the survival rate of the crabs decreased, worst at 56.57% in 0.30 mg/L. Therefore, although crabs are able to tolerate low levels of mercury pollution, high levels lead to cellular injury and tissue damage in hepatopancreas, which then loses some of its vital physiological functions such as absorption, storage, and secretion.     

Salicylic acid and heat acclimation pretreatment protects Laminaria japonica sporophyte (Phaeophyceae) from heat stress

Possible mediatory roles of heat acclimation and salicylic acid in protecting the sporophyte of marine macroalga Laminaria japonica (Phaeophyceae) from heat stress were studied. Heat stress resulted in oxidative injury in the kelp blades. Under heat stress significant accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and malonaldehyde (MDA), a membrane lipid peroxidation product, and a drastic decrease in chlorophyll a content were recorded. Activity of the enzymatic antioxidant system was drastically affected by heat stress. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was significantly increased while peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) were greatly inhibited and, simultaneously, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase was activated while polyphenol oxidase (PPO) was inhibited. Both heat acclimation pretreatment and exogenous application of salicylic acid alleviated oxidative damage in kelp blades. Blades receiving heat acclimation pretreatment and exogenous salicylic acid prior to heat stress exhibited a reduced increase in H₂O₂ and MDA content, and a lower reduction in chlorophyll a content. Pretreatment with heat acclimation and salicylic acid elevated activities of SOD, POD, CAT, GPX and PPO. Considering these results collectively, we speculate that the inhibition of antioxidant enzymes is a possible cause of the heat-stress-induced oxidative stress in L. japonica, and enhanced thermotolerance may be associated, at least in part, with the elevated activity of the enzymatic antioxidant system.     

Accumulation and depuration of pectenotoxins in brown crab Cancer pagurus

Pectenotoxins (PTXs) are a group of marine algal toxins. In this study, the accumulation and depuration of pectenotoxins in brown crab Cancer pagurus were investigated. Crabs were fed with toxic blue mussels Mytilus edulis for 21 days and then depurated for 42 days. Toxins were extracted with methanol from the digestive glands of contaminated crabs, uncontaminated crabs (control group) and from blue mussels for comparison. Extracts were analyzed by liquid chromatograph coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS). The concentrations of PTX-2, PTX-2 SA, 7-epi-PTX-2 SA, and PTX-12 were analyzed in two batches of toxic blue mussels and the crabs. A one-compartment model was applied to describe the depuration of PTXs. The half-life of PTXs was estimated to be 6–7.5 days. After depuration for 42 days, the amount of PTXs measured in the crab digestive glands was less than 1 μg/kg. Supported by Norwegian Education Funding “Quata”(2005)     

盐度突变对青蛤(Cyclinasinensis)鳃Na~+/K~+-ATPase活性的影响

研究了盐度23下青蛤(Cyclina sinensis)鳃、斧足、外套膜和内脏团中Na+/K+-ATPase的活性差异,并以活性高的鳃组织为对象,对青蛤实施了低盐(23→16)和高盐(23→36)突变的胁迫,监测了鳃组织中Na+/K+-ATPase活性的动态变化。结果表明,盐度23下青蛤鳃组织中Na+/K+-ATPase的活性显著高于其他组织;在盐度突降胁迫下,鳃组织中Na+/K+-ATPase的活性于前16 d逐渐升高,第17d起显著升高(p<0.05),第18 d达到峰值,于第20 d回落,但仍高于起始水平;在盐度骤升胁迫下,鳃组织中Na+/K+-ATPase的活性于前13d逐渐降低,第14 d起显著降低(p<0.05),于第15 d达到最低值,继而回升至平稳水平,但仍低于起始水平。青蛤不同盐度胁迫下其鳃组织中Na+/K+-ATPase活性的响应方式不同,低盐时活性增加,而高盐时活性下降;此外,青蛤在盐度胁迫下对自身渗透压的调节则需较长时间。     

Effects of tributyltin （TBT） on enzyme activity and oxidative stress in hepatopancreas and hemolymph of small abalone, Haliotis diversicolor supertexta

We investigated the effect of tributyltin (TBT) exposure on the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activity levels of the superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and acid and alkaline phosphatase (ACP and AKP) enzymes in the small abalone, Haliotis diversicolor supertexta. We collected samples of the hepatopancreas and hemolymph 2, 6, 24, 48, 96, and 192 h after exposure to 0.35 μg (Sn)/L TBT. In the hepatopancreas, ACP activity was significantly higher in animals exposed to TBT 2, 24, and 96 h post-exposure compared with the control animals. AKP activity was also higher after 2 h, but SOD and CAT activity was unchanged. The concentration of MDA in the hemolymph was significantly higher than the control animals 2 and 6 h post-exposure. In the hemolymph of animals exposed to TBT, ACP activity was significantly lower than in the control animals 192 h post-exposure, whereas AKP activity was significantly lower 2 and 192 h post-exposure. Hemolymph SOD activity and levels of MDA were significantly lower than in the control animals 24 h after exposure but significantly higher after 96 h. Our results demonstrate that exposure to TBT cause rapid changes in ACP and AKP activity as well as altering the concentration of MDA in the hepatopancreas and hemolymph. SOD and CAT do not appear to be involved in the detoxification of TBT in the hepatopancreas of small abalone.     

A Comparative Study of Genetic Variation betwccn Chinese Mitten Crab Eriocheir Sinensis and Hepu Mitten Crab E. Hepuensis

Horizontal starch gel electrophoresis was used to investigate the biochemical genetic structure of Chinese mittencrab Eriocheir sinensis and Hepu mitten crab E. hepuensis. Sixteen putative enzyme-coding loci were examined for forty-nineChinese mitten crabs and thirty-eight Hepu mitten crabs. Nine loci, AAT-1 *, AAT-2 *, G3PDH*, GPI*, IDHP-1 *, IDHP-2 *,MDH-1 *, MDH-2 * and PGM * , are polymorphic in Chinese mitten crab, and seven, AAT-1 *, AAT-2 *, GPI *, IDHP-1 *,MDH-1 *, MDH-2 * and PGM * , are polymorphic in Hepu mitten crab. The proportion of polymorphic loci and the expectedheterozygosity are 0.562 5 and 0.080 3 for Chinese mitten crab, and 0.437 5 and 0.075 4 for Hepu mitten crab. The Nei' s ge-netic distance between two species is 0.002 4.     

A comparative study of genetic variation between Chinese mitten crab <Emphasis Type="Italic">ericheir sinensis</Emphasis> and Hepu mitten crab <Emphasis Type="Italic">E. hepuensis</Emphasis>

Horizonal starch gel electrophoresis was used to investigate the biochemical genetic structure of Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis and Hepu mitten crab E. hepuensis. Sixteen putative enzyme-coding loci were examined for forty-nine chinese mitten crabs and thirty-eight Hepu mitten crabs. Nine loci, AAT-1 ^*, AAT-2 ^*, G3PDH ^*, GPI ^*, IDHP-1 ^*, IDHP-2 ^*, MDH-1 ^*, MDH-2 ^* and PGM ^*, are polymorphic in Chinese mitten crab, and seven, AAT-1 ^*, AAT-2 ^*, GPI ^*, IDHP-1 ^*, MDH-1 ^*, MDH-2 ^* and PGM ^*, are polymorphic in Hepu mitten crab. The proportion of polymorphic loci and the expected heterozygosity are 0.562 5 and 0.080 3 for Chinese mitten crab, and 0.437 5 and 0.075 4 for Hepu mitten crab. The Nei’s genetic distance between two species is 0.002 4.     

Antioxidant enzyme activities in different genders and tissues of amphioxus Branchiostoma belcheri tsingtauense

Information regarding antioxidant enzymes in amphioxus remains lacking, and this study was carried out to examine the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in different genders and tissues of amphioxus Branchiostoma belcheri tsingtauense. Results show that (1) CuZn-SOD, CAT and GPX activities in the whole amphioxus B. belcheri tsing- tauense were basically at the same levels in male and female amphioxus, whereas both T-SOD and Mn-SOD activities in male amphioxus were significantly higher than that in the female (P<0.05); (2) The testis had significantly higher T-SOD and CuZn-SOD activities than the ovary (P<0.05); (3) CuZn-SOD activity was undetectable in the guts of male and female amphioxus; (4) For both male and female am- phioxus, the activities of CAT and GPX in the gonads including testis and ovary were the lowest (P<0.05) among the tissues examined; (5) The gut and gill had the same level GPX activities while the gut had a higher CAT activity; (6) There was no clear difference in CAT and GPX activities in the corresponding tissues between male and female amphioxus. The study on SOD, CAT and GPX activities in different genders and tissues of the protochordate provides data for future comparison of amphioxus antioxidant enzymes with those of invertebrates and vertebrates.     

Effect of soil salinity on cold tolerance of mangrove Kandelia candel

Analysis of cold tolerance on mangroveKandelia candel leaf growing in different soil salinity along Jiulong River Estuary in South China showed that the cold tolerance decreased as the increase of soil salinity. The lethal temperatures ofK. candel leaf were −10.4, −9.9 and −8.6 °C in Liaodong, Baijiao and Aotou, respectively. Under 1–2°C cold stress treatment on detached leaves ofK. candel, their caloric value gradually decreased, while electrolyte leakage gradually increased. The leaf's caloric value and electrolyte leakage in Aotou with higher soil salinity varied more largely than those in Liaodong with lower soil salinity. InK. candel leaf, total water content lowered a little, bound water content rose significantly and free water content dropped significantly with duration of cold stress. At the same time, reduction sugar, soluble sugar and starch content gradually decreased and sucrose content gradually increased. Bound water, free water and sucrose content inK. candel leaf from Aotou with higher soil salinity changed more slowly than those from Liaodong with lower soil salinity, but reduction sugar, soluble sugar and starch content inK. candel leaf from Aotou had faster variations than those from Liaodong. These data indicated that soil salinity can reduce cold tolerance ofK. candel leaf by increasing negative effect of salt ions in cell membrane, inhibiting variations of water content, and aggravating consumption of material and energy. Supported by the Found for Outstanding Young Teacher, the Ministry of Education, China.     

Antioxidant response of ridgetail white prawn <Emphasis Type="Italic">Exopalaemon carinicauda</Emphasis> to harmful dinoflagellate <Emphasis Type="Italic">Prorocentrum minimum</Emphasis> exposure and its histological change

The dinoflagellate Prorocentrum minimum, one of the most widespread red tide causing species, affects marine aquaculture and ecosystems worldwide. In this study, ridgetail white prawn Exopalaemon carinicauda were exposed to P. minimum cells (5 × 10⁴ cells mL^?1) to investigate its harmful effects on the shrimp. Antioxidant activities and histological changes were used as indicators of health status of the shrimp. In 72 hours, the mortality of E. carinicauda was not affected, but its antioxidant response and histology were statistically different from those of control. Elevated superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities and depressed catalase (CAT) activity were observed in gill; while increased SOD, glutathione S-transferase (GST), CAT activities and modulated GPX activity were observed in hepatopancreas. Thus, antioxidant activities in gill and hepatopancreas seem to respond differentially to harmful alga exposure. Increased malondialdehyde (MDA) content in early a few hours indicates the damage of the antioxidant defense system. Although MDA content recovered to a low level thereafter, a series of histological abnormalities including accumulation or infiltration of hemocytes, tissue lesions and necrosis were discovered in gill and hepatopancreas. Exposure to P. minimum induced sublethal effects on E. carinicauda, including temporary oxidative damage and histological injury.     

GROWTH, REPRODUCTION & POPULATION STRUCTURE OF THE FRESHWATER CRAB SINOPOTAMON YANG TSEKIENSE BOTT, 1967, FROM ZHEJIANG, CHINA

Monthly investigatiom were made on the population of Chinese freshwater crab, Sinopotamon yangteskiense Bott, 1967 from April, 1984 to Match, 1985. The data on 4413 specimens show that the growth was affected mainly by temperature. During the April to November growth period, the crabs' major development occured from June through October. One year was required for a fine white oocyte to develop into a mature egg. The reproduction period was June-October. Females bearing eggs were taken from June-August, and crabs with young were found from July-October. The females reproduced once a year but could for more than one year. The number of eggs carried by a female varied greatly according to the size of the crab, ranging from 30 to 100 eggs. New-bom crabs become mature after 1-2 yeats. The sex ratio was approximately 1:1 in the overall population. However, the larger crabs are predominantly male. The age distribution of S. yangtsekinese was estimated from size frequency histograms. There were more adult crabs     

CO2协同低温有水对卵形鲳鲹麻醉保活效果的影响

【目的】探究二氧化碳CO₂麻醉协同低温对卵形鲳鲹有水保活的影响,延长卵形鲳鲹(Trachinotus ovatus)的保活时间。【方法】研究保活过程中CO₂质量浓度、麻醉时间、麻醉温度和鱼质量水比对卵形鲳鲹有水保活时长的影响;在最佳麻醉保活条件下,测定其血清生化指标、肌肉及肝脏氧化应激指标及代谢指标。【结果】卵形鲳鲹在16℃、100 mg/L CO₂水溶液中麻醉3 min其麻醉效果最佳。在15℃低温下进行有水保活,鱼水质量比为2∶1,存活时间最长,为(359±2)min,此条件下复苏率达100%。经过CO₂麻醉协同低温有水保活后的卵形鲳鲹血清谷草转氨酶(GOT)活性显著升高(P<0.05)、尿素氮(BUN)和甘油三酯(TG)含量上升,血糖含量下降。肌肉中的乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)活性显著上升(P<0.05),乳酸(LD)和糖原含量上升,过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性和丙二醛(MDA)含量下降;肝脏中的LDH活性显著上升(P<0.05)、CAT活性和LD的含量上升,MDA和糖原的含量下降。【结论】CO₂协同低温有水对卵形鲳鲹有较好的麻醉效果,有助于保活运输。在保活过程中卵形鲳鲹通过提升能量代谢水平和抗氧化能力应答环境应激,在一定程度上影响卵形鲳鲹保活过程的存活时间。     

Growth,reproduction & population structure of the freshwater crabSinopotamon yangtsekiense bott, 1967, from Zhejiang,China

Monthly investigations were mae on the population of Chinese freshwater crab,Sinopotamon yangtsekiense Bott, 1967 from April, 1984 to March, 1985. The data on 4413 specimens show that the growth was affected mainly by temperature. During the April to November growth period, the crabs' major development occurred from June through October. One year was required for a fine white oocyte to develop into a mature egg. The reproduction period was June–October. Females bearing eggs were taken from June–August, and crabs with young were found from July–October. The females reproduced once a year but could for more than one year. The number of eggs carried by a female varied greatly according to the size of the crab, ranging from 30 to 100 eggs. New-born crabs become mature after 1–2 years. The sex ratio was approximately 1∶1 in the overall population. However, the larger crabs are predominantly male. The age distribution ofS. yangtsekinese was estimated from size frequency histograms. There were more adult crabs (over 70%) from June to October and more immature crabs (over 50%) from November to May.     

Effect of dietary supplementation of vitamin C on growth,reactive oxygen species,and antioxidant enzyme activity of Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka) juveniles exposed to nitrite

Different amounts of vitamin C were added to diets fed to juveniles(2.5 ± 0.15 g) of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonic u s(Selenka) in an attempt to reduce the stress response of specimens exposed to nitrite stress. A commercial feed was used as the control diet and three experimental diets were made by supplementing 1 000, 1 500, or 2 000 mg vitamin C/kg diet to control diet separately in a 45-day experiment. Sea cucumbers were exposed to three different levels(0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mg/L) of nitrite stress for 4, 8, and 12 h at four time intervals(0, 15, 30, and 45 d). Growth of the animals was recorded during the experiment. Reactive oxygen species(ROS)(i.e. hydroxyl free radical(-OH), malondialdehyde(MDA) and total antioxidant capacity(T-AOC)) and antioxidant enzyme activities(i.e., superoxide dismutase(SOD) and catalase(CAT)) were measured. Response surface methodology(RSM) was used to analyze the effect of multiple factors on ROS indices and enzyme activities. Weight gain(WG) and special growth rate(SGR) of vitamin C supplementation groups were significantly higher than those of control group( P 0.05). The levels of-OH and MDA increased under exposure time extending and nitrite concentration increasing, whereas T-AOC level decreased. SOD and CAT activities increased at 4 h and 8 h and decreased at 12 h. During the days in which the animal consumed experimental diets, the levels of-OH and MDA decreased and that of T-AOC increased. This result suggests that diets containing vitamin C could reduce the nitrite stress response in the animals and increase their antioxidant capacity. The multifactor regression equation of growth performance, ROS indices, and duration of feeding results suggest that vitamin C supplementation of 1 400–2 000 mg/kg diet for 29–35 days could reduce effectively the effects of nitrite exposure.