Observations on gametogenesis in Plasmodium falciparum from continuous culture.
Gametocytes of Plasmodium falciparum were produced in continuous cultures but eventually declined in numbers after 3--4 months in vitro. Their development progressed in a consistent pattern, from small rounded, through triangular, to ellipsoidal, and finally after 8 days to crescentic forms. Morphologic maturity occurred at 8--9 days, but the gametocytes would not exflagellate in vitro, even after 14--18 days of development. Thus, current culture methods cannot produce a continuous supply of functional gametes for further studies.
D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D001769:Blood / Q000469:parasitology; D003470:Culture Media; D046508:Culture Techniques; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000469:parasitology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum / Q000254:growth & development*
D003470:Culture Media