A schematic diagram showing a proposed model of SHOC1 in meiotic recombination during meiotic I prophase. SHOC1 may be recruited to the resected single strand along with the ssDNA-interacting complex (comprising MEIOB, SPATA22 and RPAs) and the DNA strand exchange protein (including RAD51 and DMC1), which is required for the homology search and synapsis. Subsequently, SHOC1 may also function in the protection of recombination intermediates (such as D-loop and unligated dHJ) from dissociation. The deletion of SHOC1 in Shoc1 cKO^Stra8-Cre could result in synaptic defects (such as pairing of non-homologous chromosomes) and failure of crossover formation during meiotic I prophase. cKO, conditional knockout; CO, crossover; DSB, DNA double-strand break; dHJ, double Holiday junction; NCO, non-crossover; SDSA, synthesis dependent strand annealing.