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Ultrastructure of the microgamont and microgamete of Eimeria funduli , a coccidium parasitizing killifishes

1983; Wiley; Volume: 6; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1111/j.1365-2761.1983.tb00050.x

1365-2761

William E. Hawkins, Mobashir A. Solangi, Robin M. Overstreet,

Parasitic Infections and Diagnostics

Abstract. The ultrastructure of the microgamont and microgamete of the coccidium Eimerici funduli was studied in hepatocytes of the killifish Fundulus grandis and F. similis . During microgametogenesis, the nuclear chromatin condensed, marginated, then differentiated into a peripheral dense portion that became the nucleus of the microgamete and a central clear portion that remained in the gamont. Near each nucleus was a mitochondrion and four microtubules which were incorporated into the microgamete. In microgamonts, dense polysaccharide granules (50–60 nm diameter) were demonstrated with the periodic acid‐thiocarbohydrazide‐silver proteinate method. Flagella extended into the parasitophorous vacuole from basal bodies situated near nuclei. Microgametes budded from the surface of the microgamonts. The microgamete consisted of a nucleus, two flagella and basal bodies, a mitochondrion, a rudimentary basal body, four microlubules, a perforatorium, and a dense rod‐like structure. The elongate nucleus was narrow anteriorly and bulb‐like posteriorly. One of the flagella was attached to the body of the microgamete. A mitochondrion that was swollen anteriorly and constricted posteriorly ran alongside the nucleus. The four microtubules appeared to arise from a rudimentary basal body and were closely related to the mitochondrion. Two of them extended nearly the length of the nucleus. The rod‐like structure appeared to develop from a thickening of the limiting membrane of the microgamont. Fertilization was not directly observed, but microgametes were found in the parasitophorous vacuoles of several macrogamonts.