The rapid evolution of reproductive proteins

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Abstract
Many genes that are involved in different aspects of sexual reproduction evolve at rapid rates. For example, when rodent and human gene sequences are compared, many reproductive genes are found among the 10% most divergent genes. In some cases, the rapid evolution of reproductive proteins is promoted by adaptive evolution, which indicates that a functional benefit underlies their rapid divergence. The selective pressures that drive the evolution of reproductive proteins could include: sperm competition, cryptic female choice and sexual conflict. The coevolution of corresponding (interacting) female and male pairs of reproductive proteins could be a factor in the establishment of barriers to fertilization, which leads to reproductive isolation between populations and, perhaps, the establishment of new species.