Gametocyte Formation by the Progeny of Single Plasmodium falciparum Schizonts

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Abstract
Gametocytogenesis of the malaria parasite P. falciparum was studied in monolayers of erythrocytes attached to tissue culture dishes. Merozoites produced by single schizonts in erythrocytes [from humans] overlaying the monolayer infected the attached erythrocytes and produced clusters of progeny. Parasites in these readily indentifiable clusters than underwent either asexual growth or sexual differentiation. The progeny of most schizonts yeilded no gametocytes. The progeny of those schizonts that did yield gametocytes showed a marked tendency to produce multiple gametocytes. Gametocytogenesis was not random. Instead, the progeny of certain schizonts were committed to produce gametes. However, even those clusters containing several gametocytes also contained asexual forms. Not all merozoites of a single schizont were committed to gametocytogenesis. In those cells infected with 2 or more merozoites the formation of a gametocyte was usually associated with a block in the further development of other parasites.