The fine structure of the developing macrogamete of Eimeria maxima

Abstract

SUMMARY: The fine structure of the developing macrogamete of Eimeria maxima was studied from chicks killed at intervals from 138 to 147 h after inoculation. The macrogamete developed within a parasitophorous vacuole. Lying within this vacuole and extending for some distance around the periphery of the macrogamete were intravacuolar tubules, grouped in certain areas, and in some cases they were seen to make direct connexions with the cytoplasm of the parasite. During development, electron-pale vesicles were pinched off externally from the surface of the macrogamete. There appeared to be 2 forms of wall-forming bodies of the Type I during development, one form being less osmiophilic than the other. Other organelles present, such as wall-forming bodies of Type II, granular endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, canaliculi, lipid inclusions and intravacuolar folds, were similar in structure to those of other Eimeria species.