Sexually reproducing species rely on the exchange of genetic information between homologous chromosomes in a process referred to as meiosis. This can be summarised as one round of DNA replication accompanied by two rounds of chromosome segregation to produce haploid gametes from diploid cells. This process involves tight coordination of a meiotic specific cohesion complex, the synaptonemal complex, and DNA damage repair mechanisms. We have investigated a gene encoding a putative myosin heavy chain protein, which we have named atz-1 (Abnormal Transition Zone) as a novel gene that is required for maintaining germline chromosome integrity. Deletion of atz-1 results in reduced brood size and marked embryonic lethality. Interestingly, atz-1 mutants display a depleted, or absent transition zone, accompanied by reduced expression of the meiotic cohesion protein, REC-8. atz-1 mutants display downstream germline defects including an extended pachytene region, sperm defect, aggregated chromosomal bodies, endomitotic oocytes, and elevated germ cell apoptosis. In addition to this, atz-1 mutants are also hypersensitive to mild inhibition of DNA damage repair by hydroxyurea, suggesting that the initial round of DNA replication in atz-1 mutants is impaired. Moreover, the atz-1 mutant phenotype is germline specific and resupplying somatically expressed atz-1 does not rescue the reproductive defects associated with atz-1 mutants. Overall, our data suggests that atz-1 is required for promoting meiosis to maintain germline chromosomal integrity.