Cervical & Sperm Interaction

During natural conception ejaculated sperm must be taken up by the cervical mucus and transported to the woman’s upper reproductive tract. Normally, sperm meets egg and fertilization occurs in the fallopian tube.


We evaluate sperm-cervical mucus interaction with a postcoital test (PCT). This test confirms that male orgasm has occurred, that coital technique has been correct, and that the cervical mucus is receptive to sperm.


Performing the PCT is unreliable and therefore rarely performed. The procedure of intraterine insemination is used to treat sperm-cervical mucus interaction abnormalities.