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Definition
What is sperm penetration?
The sperm penetration test is a test to see if a man's sperm can move through the cervical mucus and fallopian tubes to fertilize the egg. This test is usually done when a partner has difficulty getting pregnant (infertility).
There are several different sperm penetration tests:
- penetration test of sperm mucus check whether male sperm can move through the cervical mucus. This test is not done very often because there are other fertility tests that provide more information about fertility problems
- sperm penetration assay (also called the hamster free zone ovum test or hamster test) checks whether male sperm can join the egg. Sperm mixed with hamster eggs in the laboratory. The amount of sperm penetrating (sperm capacitation index) of the egg is measured. This test is carried out most often in special fertility centers that are carried out in vitro fertilization.
When do I need to undergo sperm penetration testing?
Uuji sperm penetration can be done:
- when other tests have not managed to find the cause of infertility
- to see how sperm function during a semen analysis test has shown several problems, such as slow motion or sperm look normal
- to test sperm before conducting in vitro fertilization
Prevention & warning
What should I know before undergoing sperm penetration?
Before you get an infertility test, you and your partner should try the fertility awareness method to find the best time to get pregnant. A woman is most fertile during ovulation and 1 to 2 days before ovulation. Some couples find that they have spent the most fertile days trying to get pregnant. A woman must record the menstrual cycle and when she ovulates. This note will help your doctor if you decide to take an infertility test.
Process
What should I do before undergoing sperm penetration?
Talk to your doctor about all your concerns about the need for a test, the risks, how it will be done, or what the results mean.
Test penetration of sperm mucus
For women, this test must be done during ovulation. Follow the doctor's instructions to check the level of luteinizing hormone (LH) in your urine. When you check your LH level, do a urine test in the middle to the end of the morning, and don't drink anything that morning until you have finished the test. If your test shows that you are ovulating, take a doctor's visit the next day.
For men, semen samples are collected after cervical mucus samples are taken. You may not release your sperm (ejaculation) for 2 days before the test. But you may not go through more than 5 days without ejaculation before doing this test.
Sperm penetration assay (SPA)
This type of sperm penetration test only requires semen samples to be taken. For men, it is important that you do not release your sperm (ejaculation) for 2 days before the test. But you also can't do ejaculation for more than 5 days.
What is the process of sperm penetration testing?
To test the penetration of sperm mucus, your cervical and sperm mucus samples and your partner will be collected. In the laboratory, semen is added to mucus in a tube. After 90 minutes, the sperm transfer distance will be measured. Cervical mucus samples are collected from women during a pelvic examination.
For sperm penetration testing, semen samples were collected. Sperm mixed with hamster eggs in the laboratory. The number of sperm that can penetrate the egg is measured.
Samples of semen are collected by masturbation. If you collect semen samples at home, be sure to send them to a laboratory or clinic within 1 hour. Keep samples at body temperature and keep them away from direct sunlight. Samples cannot be collected by having sex and then withdrawing when you ejaculate because vaginal fluid can be mixed with sperm.
What should I do after undergoing sperm penetration testing?
You will be given a date to get your test results. Your doctor will explain the purpose of your test results. You must follow the instructions from your doctor.
Explanation of Test Results
What do the test results mean?
There may be a problem with your partner's sperm if:
- donor sperm penetrates mucus but husband's sperm
- Husband's sperm does not penetrate the cervical mucus of his wife or donor
There may be a problem with female mucus if both the partner's sperm or donor sperm do not penetrate the cervical mucus.
Normal: Sperm penetrates cervical mucus and moves past it easily.
Abnormal: Sperm cannot penetrate the cervical mucus or accumulate in mucus. Clumping may mean that women or men have produced antibodies to sperm. If sperm antibodies come from a man's body, clotting can also be seen in the analysis of semen.
Sperm Penetration Assay (SPA)
Results are based on the number of sperm that can penetrate the egg and can vary from laboratory to laboratory. Talk to your doctor about whether your results are normal.
Normal: Sperm penetrates hamster eggs.
Abnormal: Sperm cannot penetrate hamster egg cells.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
