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Sexual cycle ofBabesia divergens confirmed by DNA measurements

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Abstract

The DNA content of the developmental stages within the life cycle ofBabesia divergens was measured by means of fluorescence microscopy using the DNA-specific bisbenzimide Hoechst 33258. By comparing the mean relative fluorescence intensities, the assumption of sexual reproduction in the gut of the tick vector (Ixodes ricinus) was confirmed. However, no proof of a pre- or postzygotic meiosis was found.

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Abbreviations

E :

erythrocyte

G :

gamont

GA :

gamete

K :

kinete

ME :

merozoite

N :

nucleus

R :

ring stage (binucleated)

RC :

reticulocyte

SB :

sporoblast

SP :

sporozoite

ST :

Strahlenkörper

YR :

young ring stage (trophozoite; uninucleated)

YZ :

young zygote

Z :

zygote

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lehrstuhl für Spezielle Zoologie und Parasitologie, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, D-4630, Bochum, Germany

    Ute Mackenstedt, Martina Gauer, Heinz Mehlhorn & Susann Hauschild

  2. Institut für Parasitologie und Tropenveterinärmedizin, Freie Universität Berlin, Königsweg 65, D-1000, Berlin 37

    Eberhard Schein

Authors
  1. Ute Mackenstedt
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  2. Martina Gauer
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  3. Heinz Mehlhorn
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  4. Eberhard Schein
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  5. Susann Hauschild
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Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)

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Mackenstedt, U., Gauer, M., Mehlhorn, H. et al. Sexual cycle ofBabesia divergens confirmed by DNA measurements. Parasitol Res 76, 199–206 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00930815

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00930815

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