The present invention relates to compositions and methods for screening compounds that modulate meiotic progression. In particular, it relates to compositions comprising nucleotides from the mouse 5′ regulatory region, and transcriptionally active fragments thereof, that control the expression of a testis-enriched protein, SP-10. Specifically provided are expression vectors, host cells, and transgenic animals. The SP-10 promoter controls the expression of a heterologous gene, e.g., green fluorescent protein. The invention relates to methods for using the vectors, cells, and animals for screening candidate molecules for agonists and antagonists of sperm development and fertilization. Methods for using molecules and compounds identified by the screening assays for therapeutic treatments are provided.