Host cell infected with three parasites (arrowhead); 5, microgamont (MIC), macrogamont (Ma) and mature meronts (Me); 6, mature microgamonts (MM), attached to the underlying epithelium via a stalk-like structure (arrowhead), shedding
microgametes, note disappearance of the parasite membrane and fragmentation of its surface; 7, macrogamontes (Ma) with wall-forming bodies (WF).
Others undergo multiple fission inside cells, forming microgametocytes containing 16 nonflagellated
microgametes.
Microgametes rupture from the microgametocyte and penetrate macrogametes forming a zygote (fusion of gametes).
Extracellular macrogametes and
microgametes may be seen after erythrocytic lysis.
The organism exits in nature in many forms: macro- and
microgametes, the oocyte (which releases sporozoites), the tissue cyst, which contains and may release bradyzoite, and tachyzoite.
Microgametes 72-77 [micro]m long and 37-40 [micro]m wide, formed by depauperating divisions (sometimes called degenerate forms in the old literature), presumably belonging to C.
Eukaryotic sex can take place between mating types in isogametic species which lack the differentiation between
microgametes or sperm and macrogametes or eggs, the distinction which defines male and female (or their functions in hermaphrodites).
microgametogenesis: Production of
microgametes (small gametes) from microspores in the anthers of flowering plants.