The first step when infertility is suspected is to carry out a comprehensive assessment of the couple – this involves not only the tests recommended for the woman and man separately, but also tests that the partners should undergo together. At INVICTA Clinics, we recommend that both partners undergo diagnostic tests before beginning infertility treatment.
The test allows the viability of sperm in cervical mucus to be assessed and their ability to penetrate it to be determined. The test should be carried out during the ‘fertile days’ (confirmed by ultrasound and/or hormonal tests), 6–8 hours after sexual intercourse. The number of motile and immotile sperm is assessed in the cervical mucus sample under examination.
Testing for the presence of antibodies against sperm is carried out using blood serum from the patient or her partner, cervical mucus or semen. Two types of test can be carried out: an indirect test (using sperm from an anonymous donor) and a direct test (using the partner’s sperm). Each test allows the percentage of three classes of antibodies – IgM, IgA and IgG – directed against sperm to be determined.
