Date of Award:

5-1-1969

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Biology

Department name when degree awarded

Zoology

Committee Chair(s)

Datus M. Hammond

Committee

Datus M. Hammond

Committee

Thomas L. Bahler

Committee

James L. Shupe

Abstract

Cell lines or established cell lines of bovine, ovine or human origin and primary cells from whole embryos of ground-squirrels were tested for their ability to support in vitro development of Eimeria callospermophili and E. bilamellata from the Uinta ground-squirrel, Spermophilus armatus. Monolayers in Leighton tube cultures were inoculated with sporozoites of E. callospermophili or E. bilamellata and examined with phase-contrast microscopy at various intervals. Ater examination, coverslips were fixed in Schaudinn's or Zenker's fluid and variously stained. E. callospermophili sporozoites penetrated cells and underwent development to mature first-generation schizonts in all cell types; E. bilamellata sporozoites penetrated and underwent development to mature first-generation schizonts in most cell types. At different times after inoculation, both species formed sporozoite-shaped schizonts, which later became spheroidal in shape. Intracellular movements of sporozoite-shaped schizonts of E. callospermophili were observed and such schizonts were seen to move and penetrate cells when freed by mechanical disintegration of the host cells. Merozoites were formed at the periphery of the schizont in both species, Mature first-generation schizonts of E. callospermophili, with 6-14 merozoites, were first seen 15 hours after inoculation; the corresponding values for E. bilamellata were 12-27 merozoites and 4 days. Merozoites of both species possessed anterior and posterior refractile bodies. Exposure to a trypsin-bile solution stimulated motility in merozoites of E. callospermophili. Second-generation trophozoites and immature schizonts of E. callospermophili were seen in cultures of primary cells of whole ground-squirrel embryos 20 to 24 hours and 44 to 48 hours, respectively, after inoculation with sporozoites. Nuclear division was observed in E. callospermophili.

Share

COinS