Towards understanding the role of oxidative stress in intestinal remodeling, we investigated the role of two antioxidant enzymes catalase and superoxide dismutase which safeguard cells from reactive oxygen species, during metamorphosis in tadpoles, Xenopus laevis. Preceding the beginning of remodeling, catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) both are up regulated, but SOD is increased eight times more than catalase. High SOD activity leading to formation of hydrogen peroxide corresponds with apoptosis during the same period. SOD positive cells, most likely apoptotic cells, are seen sloughed off in the lumen of the intestine. Catalase activity was also localized using diaminobenzidine for ultrastructural studies. Just before the remodeling begins, large number of peroxisomes ranging in size from 0.25 to 0.5 µm is seen in apical region of the intestinal cells which were positive for catalase activity. Large number of autophagic vesicles is seen in cells of intestine undergoing cell death. These data suggest a regulatory functional role of antioxidant enzymes in morphogenetic processes occurring in the intestine during its remodeling.