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The fractional postcoital test: a reappraisal
Fertility and Sterility
|January 1, 1979
Summary
Postcoital tests (PCTs) may inaccurately assess sperm counts and cervical mucus activity. A simple pre-sampling mucus removal can improve the accuracy of PCTs, especially when using dead sperm.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Sperm analysis
- Cervical mucus evaluation
Background:
- Postcoital tests (PCTs) are used to evaluate sperm-mucus interaction.
- Previous studies have not fully addressed potential inaccuracies in PCT methodology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the accuracy of postcoital tests (PCTs) in assessing sperm counts and cervical mucus acid phosphatase.
- To identify factors influencing PCT results, particularly after artificial insemination with non-viable sperm.
Main Methods:
- Postcoital tests (PCTs) were performed after artificial insemination using live or dead spermatozoa.
- Cervical mucus samples were analyzed for sperm counts and acid phosphatase activity.
Main Results:
- PCT sampling catheters may not accurately represent the in-situ distribution of sperm and mucus within the cervix.
- Insemination with dead sperm resulted in artificially elevated sperm counts and acid phosphatase levels.
- Semen translocation into the sampling catheter from the external os was identified as a cause of inaccurate results.
Conclusions:
- Standard PCT methods can yield misleading results, especially when non-viable sperm are used.
- Removing cervical mucus from the external os before sampling can significantly improve PCT accuracy.
- Refined PCT techniques are necessary for reliable assessment of male fertility and sperm-mucus interactions.