Getting to the right site:

• Helping the sperm:

  • At ovulation, the cervical mucus increases in amount and becomes less thick, allowing easier sperm transport.
  • Passage of the sperm through the uterus and oviduct occurs mainly due to muscular contractions of these organs.

• Oocyte:

  • The ends of the oviducts come into close contact with the ovary during ovulation.
  • Fimbriae of oviduct ends ìsweepî the ovulated ovum into the oviduct.
  • Peristaltic waves of oviduct musculature bring the ovum into the ampulla of the oviduct.

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Passage of sperm:

Since sperm can only move 2 to 3 mm per minute using their own power, they must be helped along somehow. At the shortest, sperms can be found in the oviducts only 5 minutes after ejaculation. Other sperms can take 45 minutes.

The Natural Family Planning method of attempting pregnancy relies on changes in mucus thickness for the timing of intercourseóthe character of the mucus is a good indicator of the presence of a viable egg.