What is the Huhner test?
Huhner test is a type of fertility test in which sperm and cervical mucus compatibility is evaluated. This is an important test because up to 8% of infertility cases are related to incompatibility between cervical mucus and sperm. The Huhner test, also known as the SIMS-HUHNER test or the postcoital test, is performed by a diagnosis of infertility that examines these fluids several hours after sexual intercourse.
Cervical cells exclude mucus that changes consistency according to different phases of the menstrual cycle. When the cycle approaches the time of ovulation, cervical cells produce more mucus. Mucus also changes qualitatively to approach pH and viscosity, which is more compatible with sperm migration. In order to travel around the cervix and the uterus, the mucus must be present in the cervix generally pH 7 to 8.5 and has a certain degree of viscosity and stretching. If the cervix is sperm is incompatible.
to determine whether cervical mucus has the required pH and viscosity, Huhner test with proA few hours after the sexual sexual sexual time at the time of the woman's ovulation. In general, a few undergoing tests are required to avoid sexual intercourse for 48 hours before the test, and after sexual intercourse has four to eight hours before planning a test appointment. During the test appointment, mucus samples are taken from a female cervix and are then examined in a diagnostic laboratory.
Several different aspects of cervical mucus are evaluated during the Huhner test. First, mucus is examined in terms of clarity and viscosity. The mucus obtained from the cervix at the time of ovulation should be clear and watery and sufficiently viscous that part of the mucus can be stretched at least 3.15 inches (8 cm) before breaking. There is also a pH mucus ;; The optimum level is pH 7 to 8.5.
Another part of Huhner's test includes microscopic mucus examination to check how many sperm is presento. Drop of mucus should contain a dozen or more sperm that should swim in a strong move forward. If there are too few sperm, this may indicate that the pH of mucus is too low to survive the sperm. If the sperm cannot swim heavily, the mucus may be too strong.
is also recorded the presence of other types of cells, including immune cells and yeast cells. If more than a normal number of immune cells are present, the infection may affect the quality of the cervix. Similarly, the presence of yeast cells indicates an infection that can also affect the survival and mobility of sperm. In some cases, the infection solution will improve mucus quality enough to allow the woman to conceive.
If the quality of female cervical mucus reduces its ability to conceive and this problem has no other bolt cause, it may be prescribed hormonal drugs that can improve mucus quality. If the drug does not solve the problem, artificial insemination may be recommended. This procedure allows spermI bypass cervical mucus, which improves the chances of conception.