Test Overview

Sperm penetration tests check to see if sperm can move through cervical mucus or join with (fertilize) an egg. These tests may be done when you're having trouble getting pregnant (infertility).

There are different sperm penetration tests.

• The sperm mucus penetration test checks if 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 checks if sperm can join with an egg. (This is also called the hamster zona-free ovum test or hamster test.) Sperm are mixed with hamster eggs in a laboratory. The number of sperm that penetrate the egg is measured. This test is not done often. But it may be done at special fertility centres that do in vitro fertilization.