Fig. 4

A–E PbBrca2 is vital for female gametocyte development and ookinete formation. A Morphological analyses of male and female gametocytes and ookinetes of WT and PbBrca2-KO1 parasites. B Gametocytes were enumerated in four mice infected with WT or PbBrca2-KO1 parasites at approximately 10% parasitemia. C Proportions of female and male gametocytes in mice infected with either WT or PbBrca2-KO1 parasites. Percentages of female (pink) and male (blue) gametocytes are shown. D Exflagellation ratios were measured for in vitro cultures using blood from five mice infected with WT or PbBrca2-KO1 parasites and with approximately 10% parasitemia. E Ookinete counts for in vitro cultures after 24 h of incubation at 19 °C in ookinete culture medium using blood from five mice infected with WT or PbBrca2-KO1 parasites and with approximately 10% parasitemia. Data are plotted as bar graphs. F-test followed by Student’s t-test was used to compare the mean values of gametocytemia, female and male ratio, exflagellation, ookinete number. Error bars indicate SD. * P < 0.05, ** P < 0.01, N.S. non-significant (vs. WT parasites). RBC Red blood cells; for other abbreviations, see Figs. 1 and 2