Electron Microscopic and Histochemical Studies of Sporozoite Formation in Plasmodium berghei*

Abstract

SYNOPSIS. Observations were made on the differentiation of fine structure during sporogonic development of Plasmodium berghei. The oocyst in the process of sporozoite formation is an encapsulated structure 30‐40 μ in diameter. It typically develops while in an extracellular position, attached to the basement membrane of the mosquito midgut and projecting into the mosquito hemocoel. Occasionally, however, ookinetes passing thru the midgut epithelial cells may become impacted within a cell so that the resulting oocyst develops intracellularly.Each oocyst has a large differentiating region, the sporoblastoid body. This body contains large dividing nuclei which are Feulgenpositive, and a cytoplasm which includes mitochondria, dense rodlike structures, cytoplasmic membranes, cisternae and vacuolar structures, Golgi material, and ribosomes which are both free and membrane‐associated.Sporozoite budding takes place along the surface of the sporoblastoid body. Bits of a new membrane condense under the plasma membrane which bounds the sporoblastoid body. These 2‐membraned sites then bulge out, continue to elongate, and eventually become sporozoites. The various nuclear and cytoplasmic components of the sporoblastoid body are passed into the sporozoites during their elongation. In addition, the sporozoite develops a system of elogate, subpellicular microtubules, possibly contractile in function. The pellicle of the sporozoite is broken by an opening, the cytostome (micropyle). The anterior end is truncate.