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The Responses of Embryos to Cadmium Induced Oxidative Stress in Germinating Pea Seeds

Jaouani K, Karmous I*, Ostrowski M, El Ferjani E, Jakubowska A and Chaoui A

The present study showed the evidence of the generation of an oxidative stress in the growing embryos of germinating pea (Pisum sativum L. cv. douce province) seeds, after exposure to 200 μM cadmium chloride (CdCl2). Hence, we focused on understanding Cd induced oxidative stress, its consequences and the biological significance of some enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants as potential selection criteria for improving tolerance to oxidative stress have been discussed. The effects of Cd on some indicators of oxidative stress were analyzed in order to study relationship between metal toxicity, oxidative stress and detoxification responses. Obtained results revealed a protection of embryonic axes growth and metabolism against the heavy metal up to day 6 of germination, beyond then severe metabolic disturbances have been observed leading to oxidative injury to proteins and marked disruption of the structural integrity of membranes and cellular homeostasis. This might be associated to the non-efficiency of the antioxidant defense systems at day 9, which resulted in the delay in embryonic growth.