Intrauterine development of the microfilariae of Dipetalonema viteae.
The egg shell of Dipetalonema viteae separated from the oolemma and became highly convoluted at an early stage of development. No second oolemma or trilaminate membrane was seen. Channels containing electron dense material (thought to be nutrient material from the uterine wall) were formed between adjacent embryos. Many developing embryos died. Microvilli were formed by the uterine wall and developing embryos were closely apposed to these (again presumably to obtain nutrient). Embryos emerged from the egg in the uterus and were born as unsheathed microfilariae.
D000818:Animals; D004153:Dipetalonema / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005849:Gerbillinae / Q000469:parasitology