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ULTRASTRUCTURAL OBSERVATIONS ON MICROGAMETOGENESIS AND THE STRUCTURE OF THE MICROGAMETE OF ISOSPORA FELIS
Author(s) -
Ferguson D. J. P.,
BirchAndersen A.,
Hutchison W. M.,
Siim J. Chr.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
acta pathologica microbiologica scandinavica section b microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.909
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 1600-0463
pISSN - 0304-131X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1699-0463.1980.tb02621.x
Subject(s) - ultrastructure , biology , cytoplasm , nucleus , vacuole , basal body , microbiology and biotechnology , anatomy , flagellum , biochemistry , gene
The endogenous forms of Isospora felis were observed within the epithelial cells of the small intestine of the cat. They were situated within a parasitophorous vacuole which was limited by a multimembranous wall. The ultrastructural features of microgametogenesis were studied at 8 days postinfection. The initial phase of microgamont development consisted of cytoplasmic growth accompanied by a number of nuclear divisions. The gamont was enclosed by a pellicle and its surface area was greatly increased by deep invaginations. In the later stages of development the numerous nuclei were situated close to the pellicle. Each nucleus has peripherally condensed chromatin. Formation of the microgametes occurred as protrusions from the microgamont surface. Two basal bodies, the dense portion of a nucleus and a mitochondrion entered each protrusion. The microgametes matured while still attached to the gamont from which they finally budded off into the parasitophorous vacuole leaving a large residual cytoplasmic mass. The mature microgamete was found to consist of an elongate nucleus which overlaps with a mitochondrion towards the anterior end of the organism. The anterior portion contains a dense perforatorium and two basal bodies with attached flagella. In addition a number of microtubules (5–9) were found to run longitudinally from the basal body region.