Hamster eggs used to test human sperm fertility

Sperm penetration tests check to see whether a man’s sperm can move through cervical mucus and the fallopian tubes to join with (fertilize) an egg. This test is usually done when a couple is having trouble becoming pregnant (infertility).

There are different sperm penetration tests.

The sperm mucus penetration test checks whether a man’s sperm can move through the cervical mucus. This test is not done very often because there are other fertility tests that give more information about the fertility problem.

The sperm penetration assay (also called the hamster zona-free ovum test or hamster test) checks whether a man’s sperm can join with an egg. Sperm are mixed with hamster eggs in a laboratory. The number of sperm that penetrate the egg (sperm capacitation index) is measured. This test is done most often at special fertility centers that do in vitro fertilization.

Why It Is Done

Sperm penetration tests may be done:

When other tests have not found a cause for infertility.

To see how the sperm function when a semen analysis test has shown some problems, such as slow movement or the sperm look abnormal.

To check when another test, the postcoital test, has found sperm dead or not moving in the cervical mucus.

To test sperm before doing in vitro fertilization.