PLASMODIUM-FALCIPARUM - PURIFICATION OF THE VARIOUS GAMETOCYTE DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES FROM IN VITRO-CULTIVATED PARASITES

Cultivated Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes reach maturity in vitro i n approximately 14-16 days, during which they pass through five morpho logically distinct developmental stages. Purification of the earlier d evelopmental stages has not been previously reported. We have modified the standard discontinuous Percoll gradient method for the separation of stage IV and V gametocytes to obtain enriched preparations of thos e and the earlier P. falciparum gametocyte stages. In contrast to the stages II, III, and IV, the mature stage V gametocytes from our gradie nt readily transformed into gametes, Such preparations may be useful i n research studies on the mechanisms that underlie gametocytogenesis.