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The requirement for epimastigote attachment during division and metacyclogenesis in Trypanosoma congolense

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Abstract

In cultures of tsetse proboscis stages during the development of Trypanosoma congolense, attached epimastigote forms multiply and give rise to free nondividing metacyclic trypanosomes. Prevention of attachment by shaking the cultures or by providing a polypropylene substratum does not inhibit epimastigote division but does prevent the differentiation of metacyclics. We conclude that epimastigote attachment forms a necessary part of the program of metacyclic development.

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Abbreviations

BSA:

bovine serum albumin

FCS:

fetal calf serum

LUMP:

London University Medical Protozoology

MEM:

Minimum Essential Medium

PDT:

Population doubling time

TREU:

Trypanosome Research Edinburgh University

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Hendry, K.A.K., Vickerman, K. The requirement for epimastigote attachment during division and metacyclogenesis in Trypanosoma congolense . Parasitol Res 74, 403–408 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00535138

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