Cryogenic preservation of Dirofilaria immitis microfilariae, reactivation and completion of the life-cycle in the mosquito and vertebrate hosts

The results from these direct comparisons demonstrate that cryopreserved mf can develop into L3s in vector mosquitoes and that these L3s are infective to both dogs and ferrets, where they undergo normal development into adult worms. These worms are able to mate and produce viable mf and complete the heartworm lifecycle in dog.