Sexual differentiation of merozoites of Eimeria tenella

In chickens kidney-cell culture gametogony of E. tenella usually occurs in a limited number of selected cells in the form of nests of gametocytes. Some cells contain only macrogametocytes, others only microgametocytes and some cells contain both sexes together. Mixed nests of gametocytes are evidence for genetic sex determination. By using PAS staining the origin of macrogametocytes and microgametocytes can be retraced to the merozoites and schizonts of the last generation, which are differentiated by this technique.