Structure and mode of function of the organelles associated with nutrition of the macrogametes of Eimeria acervulina.

Abstract

The macrogamete of Eimeria acervulina, lay and developed within the host cell in a parasitophorous vacuole. The cytoplasmic membrane of the host cell bordering the vacuole was not smooth, but it had numerous folds extending into the vacuole. These "intravacuolar folds" varied in depth and number in different sections. In some, the majority of the folds were disconnected from the host cell. Once disconnected, they evidently disintegrated forming the amorphous, particulate material present in the parasitophorous vacuole. The pellicle of the young macrogamete consisted of a single unit membrane with an osmiophilic material representing the second membrane. Two unit membranes were apparent at a later stage of development when the wall-forming bodies had been formed and amylopectin granules deposited. Two kinds of organelles were present on the surface of the macrogamete, typical micropores and invaginations of the pellicle. The micropores arose from an invagination of the outer membrane, which continued through the invagination without interruption. Irrespective of whether an inner membrane was present in the pellicle or not, a thickened cylindrical wall around the inner portion of the invagination was always present. Micropores appeared in large numbers in both micro- and macrogametocytes. As many as three micropores were seen in a surface area of 2 mu2. Invaginations arose in a similar manner by infolding of the pellicle. They differed from micropores in that the thickened cylindrical wall present around the inner portion of the micropore was absent, and also in that invaginations had no uniform appearance. They were of varying shapes, and lengths, varying from very short V-shaped to long and narrow. Micropores and invaginations take in nutrients in the form of particulate matter present in the parasitophorous vacuole, this material having been derived from the host-cell membranous "intravacuolar folds". The micropores function as cytostomes and the invaginations take in material by means of pinocytosis. Large numbers of intravacuolar tubules were seen at the surface of the macrogamete. They were present only at certain areas of the macrogamete and in groups and were connecting the parasite with the host cell. They were about 80-110 nm in diameter, and were seen to attain a length of up to 6 mu. Evidence was obtained indicating that the tubules transport free ribosomes from the host cell to the parasite. The ribosomes were seen to accumulate in "pockets" within the cytoplasm of the host cell, at the area where the tubules were connected.