The Spermatogenesis and Embryology of Litomosoides carinii and Dirofilaria immitis

Abstract

1. Phase-contrast, ultra-violet and fluorescence microscopy have proved useful tools in the study of the embryology of filarial worms. 2. Spermatogenesis in L. carinii has been described for the first time for any filarial worm. 3. The spermatozoa of L. carinii and D. immitis are remarkable in that they contain well defined chromosomes. 4. The development of the ovum to the mature microfilaria has been described for both L. carinii and D. immitis. 5. Staining with acridine orange has demonstrated the cellular distribution of deoxyribonucleic acid (green fluorescence) and ribonucleic acid (red fluorescence) in both living and fixed embryos of each species.