The structure and development of the macrogamete and oocyst of Eimeria acervulina

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Abstract
The fine structure of the macrogametocyte, macrogamete and the early stages in the formation of the oocyst wall of Eimeria acervulina have been described and compared with other species of Eimeria. It has been shown that type II wall-forming bodies are formed in cisternae of the granular endoplasmic reticulum in association with Golgi complexes. The developing oocyst has been shown to be enclosed by three membranes: the outermost is the original membrane of the merozoite and macrogametocyte; the second membrane appears when the wall-forming bodies are appearing in the cytoplasm of the macrogametocyte and the innermost membrane appears after fertilization. The wall-forming bodies discharge their contents between the innermost membrane and the middle membrane.We wish to thank Mr P. L. Long for much valuable discussion, Mrs B. Fisher for technical assistance and Mr B. Carter for assistance with the photography.