Endogenous cycle of the swine coccidium Eimeria debliecki Douwes, 1921.

Abstract

SYNOPSIS. A pure strain of Eimeria debliecki (University of Illinois strain A) established from a single oocyst was used to determine the endogenous cycle. Young parasite‐free pigs 2 weeks to 3 months old were used throughout the study.The endogenous cycle was found to take place in the small intestine where the parasites were located in the distal portion of the striated simple columnar epithelial cells of the villi. The first generation schizonts were found in only the jejunum (15% of small intestine). The second generation schizonts and gametes occurred in the jejunum and ileum (70% of small intestine), a slight posterior progression occurring with each stage. The entire cycle required 6.5 days.The schizogonous cycle comprised 2 generations. The first generation schizonts required 2.5 days to reach maturity, measured 8‐12 μ, contained 16 merozoites measuring 12‐15 μ and had a polar residual mass. The second generation schizonts required 2 days to reach maturity, measured 13‐16 μ, contained 32 rotund merozoites measuring 6–8 μ, and had only a few granules of residual material.Gametogony took place in 1.5 days. The macrogametes measured 12‐16 μ, and the microgametocytes measured 9‐14 μ with microgametes measuring 5–6 μ.