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Fig. 1. Anatomy of MSP signaling. (A) Diagram of the hermaphrodite reproductive
tract. Oocytes undergo meiotic maturation in an assembly line fashion in
response to MSP signaling. At ovulation, the distal constriction of the
spermatheca dilates, the oocyte enters and is fertilized. (B) Electron
micrograph of the spermatheca. Spermatozoa are unable to enter the proximal
gonad because the constriction of the distal spermatheca provides a barrier.
Some spermatozoa enter the uterus with embryos, and must then crawl back into
the spermatheca so they can fertilize oocytes. (C) Spermiogenesis is the
process during which non-motile spermatids become fertilization-competent
motile spermatozoa with a pseudopod. Spermiogenesis occurs when spermatids
enter the spermatheca during the first ovulation in hermaphrodites, or as they
enter the uterus during mating. In A, a few spermatids are shown remaining in
the gonad arm, as is typically seen on the first two days of adulthood. These
spermatids will enter the spermatheca in the next few ovulations.
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