Postcoital Test (PCT)

Postcoital Test (PCT)

Postcoital Test (PCT) is one of the oldest tests used in infertility diagnostics. It is performed after a sexual intercourse with ejaculation into the uterus during the female’s ovulatory phase. If the test is performed too soon or too late in the cycle, the results will be abnormal because during this time the cervical mucus is too dense and hard for the spermatozoa to pass through. Optimal conditions allowing the spermatozoa to pass through the mucus so that the PCT can be performed occur only during the ovulation phase.

PCT will

– confirm completion of a sexual intercourse
– identify fertility problems caused by the inability of the spermatozoa to pass through the cervical canal because of immune factors that inactivate the sperm
– show the level of hormone (estrogen) production for that given phase of a menstrual cycle and the receptiveness of cervical mucus for a possible conception

The examined couple should engage in a sexual intercourse 6 – 12 hours before the actual test. The physician then takes a sample of the cervical mucus and examines it under a microscope. There should be a good amount of clear mucus present. The mucus is also analyzed for spermatozoa contents and spermatozoa motility. The findings are classified as either “acceptable” or “unacceptable”.

An Acceptable Result – At least 5 spermatozoa are visible from every scanning point of the microscope and they are all motile and moving directly through the mucus. This implies that the sperm production is sufficient and the spermatozoa were transported to the correct place in the vulva and that they are able to pass through the mucus.

An Unacceptable Result – There are fewer than 5 spermatozoa visible from every scanning point of the microscope and they either do not move at all or move chaotically. This implies an immune cause of infertility where the sperm present in the cervical mucus is inactivated.