The release of large quantities of merozoites into circulation at one time is due to a form of reproduction by Plasmodium known as exoerythrocytic schizogony. The intracellular parasite (inside the hepatocytes) undergoes an asexual replication known as exoerythrocytic schizogony. Exoerythrocytic schizogony culminates in the production of merozoites which are released into the bloodstream. This is the end of the asexual reproductive stage. The next target is the red blood cells where the merozoites become gametocytes.