The penetrability of cervical mucus was determined by capillary tube penetration testing. The rate of decline in QI as a function of time postejaculation was determined for samples stored at 37 ° C and at ambient temperature, providing correction factors for the comparative evaluation of semen samples analyzed at different times. High QIs (700) were characteristic of semen samples that were capable of penetrating cervical mucus in capillary tube penetration tests, while low QIs (80) were associated with specimens that did not penetrate mucus. Turbidimetry was applied in the quantitation of sperm velocity. Human sperm fertility potential, expressed as a quality index (QI), was evaluated objectively from considerations of sperm velocity, percentage of motile forms, sperm density, and ejaculate volume.
