SPERM SURVIVAL IN WOMEN MOTILE SPERM IN THE FUNDUS AND TUBES OF SURGICAL CASES

Sperm generally survive in the cervical mucus for about 48 hours and in rare cases 7 days. Data on 51 hysterectomy cases (the semen were sprayed on the cervix at stated intervals prior to surgery) showed that motile sperm can be present in the fallopian tubes within half an hour after they reach the cervical os even under adverse condition of surgical preparation. Sperm motility was observed for as long as 50 hours. Although motility is only 1 of several factors which deterine the ability of sperm to fertilize an ova it may show that sperm penetrate the cervical mucus pass through the fundus and migrate through the tubes at all times in the cycle perhaps also after menopause as evidenced by the presence of sperm in the tubes of 2 patients aged 50 and 52 years. No motile sperm however were observed in the cervix of patients with cervical polyps which may have occluded the passage. The relation between motility and fertilizing ability is briefly discussed. Further research should be done in women undergoing laparotomy without hysterectomy and at longer intervals.