Observations on the fine structural changes associated with schizogony and gametogony in Eimeria tenella

Abstract

Changes associated with schizogony and gametogony in Eimeria tenella have been studied by means of electron microscopy.In infections of E. tenella both small and large schizonts are formed, and in both cases merozoites are developed by a surface ‘budding’ mechanism. The final severance of the merozoite from the schizont appears to give rise to the dorsal pore of the merozoite. Newly formed merozoites contain structures which are absent in the mature organism.Early in microgametogony the nucleus of the microgametocyte divides repeatedly to produce a number of smaller nuclei which migrate peripherally in the cell. The chromatin aggregates into the peripheral part of each nucleus, which then elongates to form the nucleus of the of microgamete. That part of the gametocyte nucleus which is devoid of chromatin, probably gives rise to the perforatorium and three flagella of the gamete. Residual material is left in the gametocyte cytoplasm in the form of a gametogenic cyst.‘Wall-forming’ bodies are present in the earliest macrogametocyte and ‘dark bodies’ are developed later. After fertilization these bodies migrate to the periphery of the zygote. In E. tenella the oocyst wall is trilaminate. The limiting membrane of the zygote separates from the cell to become the outermost membrane of the cyst wall. The middle layer of the cyst wall is developed from the ‘dark bodies’, and the ‘wall forming’ bodies give rise to the inner layer of the oocyst wall.