The egg of Taenia saginata, also known as the beef tapeworm, is a microscopic structure that is produced by the adult tapeworm in the intestines of its human host. The egg is oval-shaped and measures about 30-40 micrometers in length and 20-30 micrometers in width.
The outer shell of the egg, known as the embryophore, is thick and has a smooth surface. Inside the shell, there is a developing embryo called an oncosphere. The oncosphere is a six-hooked larva that is capable of infecting a new host.
The eggs of Taenia saginata are typically passed out of the human host's body through feces. They can survive in the environment for several weeks, depending on the conditions. If the eggs are ingested by a suitable intermediate host, such as cattle, the oncosphere hatches from the egg and penetrates the intestinal wall. It then migrates to the muscles, where it develops into a cysticercus, the larval stage of the tapeworm.
In summary, the egg of Taenia saginata is a small oval structure with a thick outer shell and a developing oncosphere inside. It is responsible for the transmission of the tapeworm to its intermediate host.