In the absence of glp-1 function, cells that normally undergo mitosis enter meiosis. Five other genes are described in the abstract by Qiao et al. Hermaphrodites with ego-1 mutations display a delay in the onset of meiosis as well as abnormal oogenesis. Therefore, gametogenesis is also delayed. Some ego-1 mutants produce small, irregular oocytes while others lack oocytes altogether.
Any embryos produced are always inviable.
The Ego and Mel phenotypes are uncovered by hDf9, while the Spe phenotype is not. Current work is attempting to determine if the ego and mel mutations can be separated.