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 �sweep� 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 intercourse�the character of the mucus is a good indicator of the presence of a viable egg.