Abstract: 　Objective To systematically study the development and morphological changes of Taenia solium cysticerci in the period from the appearance to maturation. Methods Pigs were orally infected with T.solium eggs. Autopsies were made periodically to get tissue specimens and examine the distribution of cysticerci. Cysticerci were excised, pressed between two microscopic slides for microscopical observation. Sections were also made for histological study. Results Cysticerci distributed mainly in muscles, secondly in brain, liver, lung and kidney. The size of cysticerci was highly variable at different parts or even in the same part of the same host. The early stage cysticercus was observed on the 19th day without suckers and hooklets on the scolex region, and was only found in skeletal muscles. Histological examination revealed that early development of the scolex became obvious. No cysticerci were found in other tissues. At 30 d, the cysticerci possessed hooklets and brood suckers. With a longer duration of infection, the diameter of suckers and length of hooklets both increased. Larger suckers and more folds on scolex appeared 60 d later. Morphologically, cysticerci after 60 d were similar to those found at 60 d. Degenerated cysticerci were found at every stage. Conclusion Cysticerci appear in about 19 days after the pig was infected with eggs of T.solium and the duration needed for maturation is about 60 d.

Key words: Taenia solium cysticercus, development, morphology