Human sperm penetration in bovine cervical mucus. Clinical studies I.

Abstract

Penetration of spermatozoa in bovine cervical mucus (BCM) from two groups of men was investigated and correlated with the different parameters of spermograms from these same subjects. Sperm penetration and motility were statistically greater in men of proven fertility than in men from infertile couples in which a female cause of infertility had been ruled out. The percentage of cases with sperm penetration greater than or equal to 15 mm was significantly greater in volunteers of proven fertility than in the group of men from infertile couples (100% and 33%, respectively). A marked correlation was observed between sperm penetration and sperm count (p less than 0.001) and between sperm penetration and motility (p less than 0.0001). In a follow-up of the group of men from infertile couples, it was found that all those who impregnated their wives within 18 months after the study presented sperm penetration greater than or equal to 15 mm. It is suggested that BCM is an appropriate medium to determine sperm penetration in the investigation of infertile couples.