The multifaceted C. elegans major sperm protein: an ephrin signaling antagonist in oocyte maturation.

In sexually reproducing animals, the ability to coordinate oocyte maturation and sperm availability has profound effects on reproductive success. InCaenorhabditis elegans, cell–cell signaling is crucial for promoting germline development, oocyte maturation, and ovulation. In this issue of Genes & Development, Miller et al. (2003) provide new insights into the role that sperm play in oocyte maturation and ovulation. 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.