In the present study, the authors describe a simple method to isolate chrom
osomes from eimerian oocysts and to submit them to sequential study by ligh
t and electron microscopy. This method includes a reliable and reproducible
technique for transferring eimerian chromosomes from slides to grid that f
ulfills the essential requirements for generalized use in cytogenetics. In
addition, this method overcomes the difficulty of the resistance of protozo
an oocysts to disruption and permits the release of intact meiotic chromoso
mes. The observation by the authors of synaptonemal complexes in meiotic ch
romosomes of different Eimeria species by applying the above-mentioned meth
od to oocysts revealed its importance to future applications. (C) 2001 Else
vier Science B.V. All rights reserved.