Bivalve molluscs survive lack of oxygen and may present cellular characteristics allowing
tolerance to oxygen deprivation. The objective of the present work was to determine in
vitro responses of circulating cells (i.e., hemocytes) of Pacific oyster,
Crassostrea gigas, to oxygen deprivation by analysis of mitochondrial
membrane potential (ΔΨm) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production.
Hemocytes submitted to oxygen deprivation showed a reduced ROS production and an increased
ΔΨm. Confrontation of present results with recently reported findings
allows us to hypothesize the existence of an alternative mitochondrial reductase, and the
involvement of mitochondrial potassium channel in maintenance of ΔΨm.
Tolerance of bivalve hemocytes to variable oxygen availability appears, at least
partially, related to mitochondrial specificities.