The fine structure of elongate gametocytes of Leucocytozoon ziemanni (Laveran)
Kocan, A.A.; Kocan, K.M.
Journal of Parasitology 64(6): 1057-1059
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-3395 PMID: 105117 Document Number: 139093
In an effort to establish comparative data within the genus Leucocytozoon, elongate gametocytes of L. ziemanni from naturally infected great horned owls (Bubo virginianus) were examined by EM. Micro- and macrogametocytes were easily distinguishable at the EM level due to dramatic dimorphism at maturity and cytoplasmic and nuclear morphology. The parasite membrane architecture, number and type of cytoplasmic ribosomes of both micro- and macrogametocytes, presence and arrangement of osmiophilic bodies and electron dense spheres, mitochondrial morphology, endoplasmic reticulum cisternae morphology, mitochondria containing pocket infoldings of the nuclear membrane of the microgametocytes, and cytostome and food vacuole formation compare favorably with available information on L. simondi and L. smithi. Comparative variations exist only in that L. ziemanni gametocytes apparently lack compartmentalization of the cytoplasm by aligned unit membranes and parasite-induced separations of the host cell nucleus as reported for L. simondi.