The multifacetedC. elegansmajor sperm protein: an ephrin signaling antagonist in oocyte maturation: Figure 1.

In sexually reproducing animals, the ability to coordinate oocyte maturation and sperm availability has profound effects on reproductive success. In Caenorhabditis elegans, cell-cell signaling is crucial for promoting germline development, oocyte maturation, and ovulation. In this issue of Genes & Development, Even before sperm and oocyte have the opportunity to meet, sperm establish their presence by signaling to oocytes and the somatic gonad. In turn, oocytes respond by resuming meiotic cell cycle progression and preparing for fertilization.