Cervical Disease

Once the sperm are ejaculated, they must swim from the vagina through the cervical mucus into the uterus. The mucus nourishes the sperm and provides a transport media. It must be of the correct consistency to properly perform these functions. Sometimes the female will produce antisperm antibodies to her partner's sperm. When antibodies are present numerous dead or non-motile sperm are seen in the post coital test. Antibodies occur when her body mistakes the sperm as invading pathogens, like viruses or bacteria, and seeks to destroy them.

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is often a treatment of "first choice" for cervical factor infertility. In IUI, the sperm are collected, specially washed and prepared, and inserted directly into the uterus thereby avoiding the cervical mucus.

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