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→Life Cycle
===Example of a Protozoal Life Cycle===
===Example of a Protozoal Life Cycle===
''The following refers specifically to the life cycle of Coccidia spp.''
''The following refers specifically to the life cycle of Coccidia spp.''
*The '''oocyst''' is the resistant stage in the environment
*The infective '''sporozoite''' is released from the oocyst
*Inside the host, the sporozoites invade the intestinal epithelial tissue
**Sporozoites feed and grow
*As the sporozoites grow the nucleus divides forming a '''schizont'''
*The schizont contains numerous elongated '''merozoites'''
*The formation of merozoites is the first asexual reproductive stage called '''schizogony'''
*The schozont ruptures releasing the merozoites which also invade the epithelial cells
*Another generation of schizonts form which is the beginning of the sexual phase of reproduction called '''gametogeny'''
*The merozoites form male '''microgamonts''' or female '''macrogamonts'''
**Collectively known as gamonts or gametocytes
*The microgamonts released from the microgametocyte penetrate and fertilise the macrogamete (which is contained within the macrogametocyte)
*Gametogeny forms the '''zygote'''
**Surrounded by a cyst wall
**Forms the '''oocyst'''
*The oocyst is passed in the faeces as unsporulated
*The oocyst becomes sporulated in the second asexula reproductive phase called '''sporogeny'''
*Once the oocyst is sporulated it is infective
==Protozoa of Veterinary Importance==
==Protozoa of Veterinary Importance==