Sperm migration and survival in the endometrial cavity.

The migration of sperm into the uterine cavity and its survival therein at the various phases of the menstrual cycle are the topics in this clinical study. 45 patients all of whom presented for complete infertility work-ups were assessed. Various postcoital tests (presented tabularly) were performed at the proliferative ovulatory and secretory phase of the menstrual cycle. 176 endometrial specimens were obtained and studied within 10 hours of coitus. (The technique for obtaining these specimens without contamination from the cervical canal is described and basically uses a syringe and tubing for fluid withdrawal.) A table summarizes the numbers of sperm found in the cervix and uterus during the 3 phases of the menstrual cycle studied but in general sperm were found in the endometrial cavity at or near the time of ovulation and very few were discovered in the endometrial cavity during the endometriums secretory phase. It is pointed out that sperm migration and survival in female genital tract is a multifactorial process including the health of the specimen sperm motility sperm morphology and the physical and chemical status of the cervical mucus.