Ultrastructural studies of microgametogenesis and macrogametogenesis of Eimeria truncata of the lesser snow goose.
Microgamonts and macrogamonts of Eimeria truncata were observed in renal epithelial cells of collecting tubules and ducts and occasionally in macrophages of experimentally infected lesser snow geese (Anser c. caerulescens) beginning 8.5 days post inoculation. Intraparasitophorous vesicles in parasitophorous vacuoles of both types of gamonts appeared to originate in host cell cytoplasm and enter gamonts through micropores by budding of plasmalemma or by pinocytosis. Within the parasite's cytoplasm, the vesicles were broken down in Golgi-associated vacuoles. The surfaces of microgamonts were highly invaginated to facilitate extrusion of numerous microgametes. Formation and maturation of microgametes were similar to those of other eimerian species. Each microgamete had two flagella, a mitochondrion, and a peculiarly shaped electron-dense nucleus that was oval anteriorly in cross section and somewhat dumbbell-shaped posteriorly. A longitudinally arranged inner membrane complex lay between a portion of the mitochondrion and the plasmalemma. About five subpellicular microtubules extended the length of the microgamete body. Macrogametogony differed little from that described in other eimerian species. Type 1 wall-forming bodies (WFB) formed in Golgi complexes early in macrogametogony, and type 2 WFB formed in cisternae of endoplasmic reticulum in intermediate stages of macrogamont development.
D000818:Animals; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000469:parasitology*; D003048:Coccidiosis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004539:Eimeria / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005718:Gametogenesis; D005777:Geese / Q000469:parasitology*; D007668:Kidney / Q000469:parasitology; D008854:Microscopy, Electron