Calcium signaling surrounding fertilization in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.

Abstract Calcium plays a prominent role during fertilization in many animals. This review focuses on roles of Ca 2+ during the events around fertilization in the model organism, Caenorhabditis elegans . Specifically, the role of Ca 2+ in sperm, oocytes and the surrounding somatic tissues during fertilization will be discussed, with the focus on sperm activation, meiotic maturation of oocytes, ovulation, sperm–egg interaction and fertilization.