Formula omitted] Sperm migration in the human cervical mucus with different contraceptive methods

Abstract

A method of measuring sperm migration through the cervical mucus by means of a capillary tube permits accurate determinations and allows statistical recording. This method was used to evaluate the effects of several contraceptives on four parameters: A. Penetration depth; B. Penetration density; C. Qualitative motility, and D. Duration of motility of penetrated spermatozoa. Three hundred and forty women were divided into groups according to the contraceptive method used and compared with an untreated control group. In the group on sequential estrogen all parameters, with the exception of duration of motility, were significantly increased when compared with the controls. In the IUD group there was a wide variance of the parameters measured; however, the mean values were not significantly different from the control group. All groups treated with progestagens showed significantly decreased values in all four parameters in comparison with the control group. Moreover, the results correlated well with the doses employed. It was noticeable, however, that sperm penetration does not become abolished in the progestagen group up to 3–4 cm from the sperm-mucus contact point: At this distance a “STOP” of migration was constantly observed. Sperm were not detected at higher distances in any patient in contrast with all the figures recorded at the lower levels. This contrast was chiefly evident in patients receiving low doses of progestagens. This effect on the cervical mucus sperm penetrability may constitute the main contraceptive mechanism of the low-dose progestational agents which do not consistently inhibit ovulation.