The pH of cervical mucus and the postcoital test.

In this study, 25 women with 28-day cycles were considered for a total of 44 menstrual cycles. The women were subjected to the Sims-Huhner postcoital test at 6.2 hours after intercourse during the periovulatory period. Each couple was instructed to abstain from sexual intercourse for 4 days prior to the test. Samples of cervical mucus were obtained and evaluated for quantity, viscosity, elasticity, ferning, cellularity, pH, and the postcoital status of the spermatozoa (percentage motility and grade). The pH measurements were made by the use of phenaphthazine paper. After the establishment of the pH measurements the patients were divided into two groups (low and high pH) and statistically compared on the basis of the spermatozoal postcoital test results. The results obtained revealed significant differences (P < 0.01) between the low pH (less than or equal to 6.0) and high pH (greater than or equal to 6.1) groups with respect to percentage motility and grade of recovered spermatozoa. Ejaculate characteristics of the males corresponding to the two different pH groups showed no significant differences (P > 0.05).