Skip to main content Accessibility help

We use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. Close this message to accept cookies or find out how to manage your cookie settings.

Close cookie message
×
Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-q99xh Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-29T00:08:22.909Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Chapter 8 - Tests of Sperm-Cervical Mucus Interaction

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 February 2022

David Mortimer ,
Lars Björndahl ,
Christopher L. R. Barratt ,
José Antonio Castilla ,
Roelof Menkveld ,
Ulrik Kvist ,
Juan G. Alvarez  and
Trine B. Haugen
David Mortimer
Affiliation:
Oozoa Biomedical Inc., Vancouver
Lars Björndahl
Affiliation:
Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm
Christopher L. R. Barratt
Affiliation:
University of Dundee
José Antonio Castilla
Affiliation:
HU Virgen de las Nieves, Granada
Roelof Menkveld
Affiliation:
Stellenbosch University, South Africa
Ulrik Kvist
Affiliation:
Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm
Juan G. Alvarez
Affiliation:
Centro ANDROGEN, La Coruña
Trine B. Haugen
Affiliation:
Oslo Metropolitan University
Get access

Summary

Sampling of cervical mucus, its assessment, and the investigation of sperm-mucus interaction are described in detail. Methods are provided for a range of common tests that are structured as standard operating procedures (SOPs) for easy use at the bench. Methods are focussed on objectivity, robustness, standardized reporting, controlling the risk of errors, and minimizing measurement uncertainty. Includes the post-coital test, Kurzrok-Miller slide test, the Kremer capillary tube sperm penetration test, and the sperm-cervical mucus contact sldie test. An explanation of crosed hostility testing is also included, along with a discussion of complementary tests and the use of cervical mucus surrogates.

Keywords

cervical mucusInsler scoresperm-mucus interactionsperm transportpost-coital test
Type
Chapter
Information
A Practical Guide to Basic Laboratory Andrology , pp. 175 - 193
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Mortimer, D. Sperm transport in the female genital tract. In: Grudzinskas, JG, Yovich, JL, eds. Cambridge Reviews in Human Reproduction, Volume 2: Gametes – The Spermatozoon. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1995, 157–74.Google Scholar
Mortimer, ST. A critical review of the physiological importance and analysis of sperm movement in mammals. Hum Reprod Update 1997; 3: 403–39.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
World Health Organization. WHO Laboratory Manual for the Analysis of Human Semen and Sperm-Cervical Mucus Interaction, 4th edn. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1999.Google Scholar
Mortimer, D. Practical Laboratory Andrology. New York: Oxford University Press, 1994.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hunault, CC, Habbema, JD, Eijkemans, MJ et al. Two new prediction rules for spontaneous pregnancy leading to live birth among subfertile couples, based on the synthesis of three previous models. Hum Reprod 2004; 19: 2019–26.Google Scholar
Kremer, J. A simple sperm penetration test. Int J Fertil 1965; 10: 209–14.Google ScholarPubMed
Eggert-Kruse, W, Leinhos, G, Gerhard, I, et al. Prognostic value of in vitro sperm penetration into hormonally standardized human cervical mucus. Fertil Steril 1989; 51: 317–23.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kremer, J. The In Vitro Spermatozoal Penetration Test in Fertility Investigations. MD thesis. Groningen, Rijksuniversiteit te Groningen, 1968.Google Scholar
Kremer, J, Jager, S, van Slochteren-Draaisma, T. The ‘unexplained’ poor post-coital test. Int J Fertil 1978; 23: 277–81.Google Scholar
Pandya, IJ, Mortimer, D, Sawers, RS. A standardized approach for evaluating the penetration of human spermatozoa into cervical mucus in vitro. Fertil Steril 1986; 45: 357–65.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Makler, A. A new method for evaluating cervical penetrability using daily aspirated and stored cervical mucus. Fertil Steril 1976; 27: 533–40.Google Scholar
Drobnis, EZ, Yudin, AL, Cherr, GN, Katz, DF. Hamster sperm penetration of the zona pellucida: kinematic analysis and mechanical implications. Devel Biol 1988; 130: 311–23.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Insler, V, Melmed, H, Eichenbrenner, I, et al. The cervical score: a simple quantitative method for monitoring of the menstrual cycle. Int J Gynaec Obstet 1972; 10: 223–8.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
World Health Organization. WHO Laboratory Manual for the Analysis of Human Semen and Sperm-Cervical Mucus Interaction, 3rd edn. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1992.Google Scholar
Moghissi, KS. Postcoital test: physiologic basis, technique and interpretation. Fert Steril 1976; 27: 117–29.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kurzrok, R, Miller, EG. Biochemical studies of human semen and its relation to mucus of the cervix uteri. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1928; 15: 56–72.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Katz, DF, Overstreet, JW, Hanson, FW. A new quantitative test for sperm penetration into cervical mucus. Fertil Steril 1980; 33: 179–86.Google Scholar
Kremer, J, Jager, S. The sperm-cervical mucus contact test. A preliminary report. Fertil Steril 1976; 27: 335–40.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Insler, VV, Bernstein, D, Glezerman, M, Misgav, N. Correlation of seminal fluid analysis with mucus-penetrating ability of spermatozoa. Fertil Steril 1979; 32: 316–19.Google Scholar
Freundl, G, Grimm, HJ, Hofmann, N. Selective filtration of abnormal spermatozoa by the cervical mucus. Hum Reprod 1988; 3: 277–80.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Eggert-Kruse, W, Reimann-Andersen, J, Rohr, G, et al. Clinical relevance of sperm morphology assessment using strict criteria and relationship with sperm-mucus interaction in vivo and in vitro. Fertil Steril 1995; 63: 612–24.Google Scholar
Mortimer, D, Mortimer, ST, Shu, MA, Swart, R. A simplified approach to sperm-cervical mucus interaction using a hyaluronate migration test. Hum Reprod 1990; 5: 835–41.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Aitken, RJ, Bowie, H, Buckingham, D, et al. Sperm penetration into a hyaluronic acid polymer as a means of monitoring functional competence. J Androl 1992; 13: 44–54.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Neuwinger, J, Cooper, TG, Knuth, UA, Nieschlag, E. Hyaluronic acid as a medium for human sperm migration tests. Hum Reprod 1991; 6: 396–400.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Eggert‐Kruse, W, Gerhard, I, Tilgen, W, Runnebaum, B. The use of hens’ egg white as a substitute for human cervical mucus in assessing human infertility. Int J Androl 1990; 13: 258–66.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Goldstein, MC, Wix, LS, Foote, RH, et al. Migration of fresh and cryopreserved human spermatozoa in polyacrylamide gel. Fertil Steril 1982; 37: 668–74.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Urry, RL, Middleton, RG, Mayo, D. A comparison of the penetration of human sperm into bovine and artificial cervical mucus. Fertil Steril 1986; 45: 135–7.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed

Save book to Kindle

To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure [email protected] is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

Available formats
×

Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Available formats
×