1. A small cell in certain parasitic protozoans (especially malaria parasites) that develops into male gametes; the male gametocyte.
Usage: biology; parasitology; technical

Examples

• The microgametocyte is the precursor to the male gamete in Plasmodium parasites.
• Malaria transmission requires both microgametocytes and macrogametocytes to be present in the mosquito.
• Under the microscope, microgametocytes appear smaller than their female counterparts.
• The development of microgametocytes occurs within the red blood cells of infected hosts.
• Antimalarial drugs target various stages of the parasite, including the microgametocyte stage.