Effect of alpha-difluoromethylornithine on sporogony of Plasmodium yoelii

The effect of alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) on the sporogony of P yoelii was studied by electron microscopy. DFMO sugar solution was fed to female mosquitoes. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the oocysts were smaller and the surface of oocysts was uneven as compared with control. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that cytoplasm of the affected oocysts contained vacuoles and the multilamellate structures increased. The number of matrix cavitations and deformations of mitochondria increased. Nuclear membrane was damaged. The number of autophagocytic vacuoles increased. The membrane system was markedly affected.