Application of a bovine cervical mucus penetration test

One hundred seventy-eight ejaculates obtained from infertility patients were evaluated by routine semen analysis and by a bovine cervical mucus penetration test (BCMPT). A significant correlation (p < 0.01) was observed between mucus penetration and both sperm count (r = 0.349) and sperm motility (r = 0.394). One hundred fifty-two of 178 patients (85% had normal sperm counts (>20 × 10⁶/ml). Of these patients, 68% had good (>30 mm), 26% had questional (21-30 mm), and 7% had abnormal (<20 mm) penetration values. One hundred sixty-one of 178 patients (90% had normal sperm motilities (>40% Of these patients, 71% had good, 25% had questionable, and 4% had abnormal penetration values. Conversly, 46% and 18% of patients with abnormal sperm count and motility, respectively, had normal penetration values (>30 mm). A significant relationship (p < 0.05) was observed between the BCMPT and pregnancy problems not apparent by semen analysis data, and may prove to be a useful adjunct to the use of routine semen analysis in evaluating male fertility.