The Cyclical Changes in the Physical Properties of the Cervical Mucus and the Results of the Postcoital Test

Ultrasound Increases the Prognostic Value of the Postcoital Test

“…The prognostic value of the PC test, however, is still controversial. Some authors suggest that couples are as likely to achieve a preg nancy with a negative test as with a positive one: Giner et al [5] and Gibor et al [6] found no correlation between the result of the PC test and the occurrence of pregnancy.…”

“…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.…”

Cervical mucus status can be accurately estimated by transvaginal ultrasound during fertility evaluation

“…While this microenvironment is inhibitory in terms of sperm propagation during other parts of the cycle, these two elements provide a periovulatory receptive environment for spermatozoa by acting as a reservoir, providing a defense against the hostile acidic vaginal secretions, fulfilling the energy demands, refining the ejaculate of the morphologically abnormal and dismotile sperm, and providing conditions for sperm capacitation. The chemical composition of the cervical mucus, its physical characteristics and the volume secreted, and the dimensions and structure of the cervix itself show cyclical changes throughout the menstrual cycle (2). These changes are hormone dependent: estrogen induces secretions of large volumes of clear acellular watery mucus, which is highly receptive for spermatozoa.…”

“…It lasts for only 2-3 days after ovulation, when P levels rise. Based on this knowledge, the results of an examination of the cervical mucus for determining its quantity and physical characteristics are used to provide a clinical marker for the timing of ovulation as well as an indicator of the cervical reaction to estrogenic stimulation (2).…”

“…There are five accepted parameters for scoring cervical mucus: amount, stretchability (spinnbarkeit), ferning, viscosity, and cellularity (2). The scoring systems that are based on these parameters were found to be highly reliable as indicators for folliculogenesis and the dating of LH surge and ovulation (3).…”