The postcoital test: a quantitative method

A minor modification of the postcoital test (PCT) is made, which allows for a volumetric inspection of the cervical mucus with a standard clinical microscope. Homogeneously sized (40.3-microns) plastic microspheres are sprayed on the cervical mucus prior to placement of the coverslip, and these act as spacers to keep the slide-to-coverslip distance constant. As a result a known volume of cervical mucus is inspected with each microscope field of view and actual sperm concentrations can be calculated. Results from 20 patients are presented. Postcoital mucus samples were analyzed with and without spacer particles. Much of the variability in the microscopic portion (sperm concentration and motility) of the PCT test seems to be attributable to a factor controlled by the microparticles, presumably slide-to-coverslip distance. Variability in both sperm density and motility is decreased by the application of the microspheres.