Research Article

Seasonal changes in oxidant and antioxidant biomarkers in liver and muscle of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in Atatürk Dam Lake

Volume: 43 Number: 3 July 26, 2026
EN TR

Seasonal changes in oxidant and antioxidant biomarkers in liver and muscle of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in Atatürk Dam Lake

Abstract

Seasonal investigations were conducted on 640 Cyprinus carpio specimens obtained through commercial fishing at four different stations (Gerger, Sitilce, Hosirge, and Samsat) in the Atatürk Dam Lake. MDA (malondialdehyde) levels were measured in the liver and muscle tissues of male and female fish; the results revealed a significant increase in MDA levels at stations exposed to point-source discharge. This indicates that pollution-induced oxidative stress in fish varies significantly across seasonal and regional scales. Among the stations compared, the lowest MDA values were detected in fish tissues from the Gerger station, while the highest values were recorded at the Sitilce and Hosirge stations. Analysis of SOD, GSH-Px, and GSH values across all stations showed that these parameters fluctuated in correlation with MDA levels thereby maintaining the oxidant-antioxidant balance. This study investigated seasonal and spatial variations in oxidative stress biomarkers in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) collected from four stations in Atatürk Dam Lake. A total of 640 specimens were analyzed for malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels in liver and muscle tissues. Results showed that MDA levels were significantly higher in fish collected from Sitilce and Hosirge stations, indicating elevated lipid peroxidation associated with point-source pollution. In contrast, the lowest MDA levels were observed at the reference station, Gerger. Antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, GSH-Px, and GSH) exhibited tissue-, season-, and site-dependent variations, suggesting adaptive responses to oxidative stress. Overall, the findings demonstrate that anthropogenic pressures in Atatürk Dam Lake significantly alter the oxidant–antioxidant balance in fish, highlighting the usefulness of these biomarkers for environmental monitoring.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies (TAGEM)

Project Number

TAGEM/HAYSUD/2015/A 11/P-02/5

Ethical Statement

This study was conducted in accordance with the principles outlined in the Directive of the Animal Experiments Local Ethics Committee of the Elazığ Veterinary Control Institute, affiliated with the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock of the Republic of Türkiye. Ethical approval for the study, titled "Effect of Heavy Metal Pollution in Keban, Karakaya, and Atatürk Dam Lakes on Biochemical Parameters and Meat Quality of Some Fish Species" , was granted by the committee on 20 September 2016 (Decision No: 16/02).

Thanks

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Directorate of Elazığ Fisheries Research Institute and the General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies (TAGEM) for their valuable support and contributions throughout this study. I also extend my thanks to all my colleagues for their cooperation and efforts at every stage of the research.

References

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Details

APA
Şahin, A. G., Öz, Ö., Erişir, M., Türkoğlu, S., Benzer, F., Şahin, H., Tepe, R., Sünbül, M. R., Şeker, T., Küçükyılmaz, M., Örnekci, G., Yıldırım, T., & Fırat, Ö. (2026). Seasonal changes in oxidant and antioxidant biomarkers in liver and muscle of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in Atatürk Dam Lake. Ege Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 43(3), 290-297. https://doi.org/10.12714/egejfas.43.3.13
AMA
1.Şahin AG, Öz Ö, Erişir M, et al. Seasonal changes in oxidant and antioxidant biomarkers in liver and muscle of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in Atatürk Dam Lake. EgeJFAS. 2026;43(3):290-297. doi:10.12714/egejfas.43.3.13
Chicago
Şahin, Ayşe Gül, Özden Öz, Mine Erişir, et al. 2026. “Seasonal Changes in Oxidant and Antioxidant Biomarkers in Liver and Muscle of Common Carp (Cyprinus Carpio) in Atatürk Dam Lake”. Ege Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 43 (3): 290-97. https://doi.org/10.12714/egejfas.43.3.13.
EndNote
Şahin AG, Öz Ö, Erişir M, Türkoğlu S, Benzer F, Şahin H, Tepe R, Sünbül MR, Şeker T, Küçükyılmaz M, Örnekci G, Yıldırım T, Fırat Ö (July 1, 2026) Seasonal changes in oxidant and antioxidant biomarkers in liver and muscle of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in Atatürk Dam Lake. Ege Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 43 3 290–297.
IEEE
[1]A. G. Şahin et al., “Seasonal changes in oxidant and antioxidant biomarkers in liver and muscle of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in Atatürk Dam Lake”, EgeJFAS, vol. 43, no. 3, pp. 290–297, July 2026, doi: 10.12714/egejfas.43.3.13.
ISNAD
Şahin, Ayşe Gül - Öz, Özden - Erişir, Mine - Türkoğlu, Semra - Benzer, Fulya - Şahin, Hülya - Tepe, Rıdvan et al. “Seasonal Changes in Oxidant and Antioxidant Biomarkers in Liver and Muscle of Common Carp (Cyprinus Carpio) in Atatürk Dam Lake”. Ege Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 43/3 (July 1, 2026): 290-297. https://doi.org/10.12714/egejfas.43.3.13.
JAMA
1.Şahin AG, Öz Ö, Erişir M, Türkoğlu S, Benzer F, Şahin H, Tepe R, Sünbül MR, Şeker T, Küçükyılmaz M, Örnekci G, Yıldırım T, Fırat Ö. Seasonal changes in oxidant and antioxidant biomarkers in liver and muscle of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in Atatürk Dam Lake. EgeJFAS. 2026;43:290–297.
MLA
Şahin, Ayşe Gül, et al. “Seasonal Changes in Oxidant and Antioxidant Biomarkers in Liver and Muscle of Common Carp (Cyprinus Carpio) in Atatürk Dam Lake”. Ege Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, vol. 43, no. 3, July 2026, pp. 290-7, doi:10.12714/egejfas.43.3.13.
Vancouver
1.Ayşe Gül Şahin, Özden Öz, Mine Erişir, Semra Türkoğlu, Fulya Benzer, Hülya Şahin, Rıdvan Tepe, Muhammet Raşit Sünbül, Tunay Şeker, Mehmet Küçükyılmaz, Gürel Örnekci, Tacettin Yıldırım, Özgür Fırat. Seasonal changes in oxidant and antioxidant biomarkers in liver and muscle of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in Atatürk Dam Lake. EgeJFAS. 2026 Jul. 1;43(3):290-7. doi:10.12714/egejfas.43.3.13