mucus invasion test
Last reviewed 01/2018
This is used to assess the presence of sperm autoantibodies or female sperm antibodies. It is indicated in the presence of a negative postcoital test and a normal semen analysis.
Procedure:
- place a sample of the partner's sperm on a slide alongside a drop of the woman's ovulatory cervical mucus
- observe invasion of the mucus by the sperm over the next 15 minutes
Interpretation:
- failure of sperm to penetrate the mucus, or agglutination of the sperm, suggests sperm autoantibodies
- immobilisation of the sperm within 10 minutes following normal penetration suggests female sperm antibodies