Spermatozoan Transport in Cervical Mucus

Morphological selection of human spermatozoa in vivo and in vitro

“…These authors postulated that the selection was due to the quality of the motility of the spermatozoa, while others have suggested the possible existence of a physical filter (e.g. Davajan, Nakamura & Kharma, 1970;Moghissi, 1977). Subsequent studies on the morphology of human spermatozoa in cervical mucus (Clavert, Brun & Bollecker, 1975;Fredricsson & Björk, 1977;Perry, Glezerman & Insler, 1977) have expanded the earlier findings, but do not agree as to the effectiveness of the 'barrier' of cervical mucus against the migration of spermatozoa with abnormal head forms.…”

Changes in ovine cervical mucus in response to oestrogen treatment

“…The physical nature of the cervical mucus varies greatly throughout the oestrous or menstrual cycle and plays a vital role in these functions (Mattner, 1969; Davajan, Nakamura & Kharma, 1970). An alteration of the physical properties of mucus by concurrent progestagen treatment of women (Elstein et al, 1976) or after prolonged exposure of ewes to oestrogenic pasture (Adams, 1976) leads to interference with sperm transport and reduces the likelihood of fertilization.…”

Ultrasound Increases the Prognostic Value of the Postcoital Test

“…Buxton and Southam [3] and Davajan et al [4] found a correlation between the num ber of spermatozoa per HPF and the occur rence of pregnancy, whereas Jette and Glass [8] could only substantiate a predictive value of the PC test regarding the eventual occur rence of pregnancy if more than 20 spermato zoa per HPF were observed. Portuondo et al [9] and Hull et al [12] demonstrated a corre lation between the result of the PC test and the occurrence of pregnancy in patients with otherwise unexplained infertility.…”

“…Some authors have reported a correlation between the number of motile spermatozoa per high power field (HPF) in the cervical mucus and the eventual pregnancy rate [3,4], Others were unable to corroborate this find ing [5,6]. The relevance of the test is still questioned.…”