Seminal fluid is often viewed as simply a vehicle to carry sperm to fertilize the female egg, but a more complex function in influencing female reproductive physiology is now evident.
Remarkably, seminal fluid contains special signaling agents that interact with the female reproductive tract to prime the immune response, with consequences for fertility and pregnancy outcome. This research isn’t new and we have spoken about this in previous posts.
But we now know a bit more about how sperm may assist in implantation for, especially for IVF.
See my other post https://drandreworr.com.au/sex-around-the-time-of-embryo-transfer-increases-the-likelihood-of-successful-early-embryo-implantation-and-development/
Recent studies demonstrate a key role for seminal fluid in enabling embryo implantation and optimal placental development. In particular, seminal fluid promotes health immune responses which facilitate embryo implantation by suppressing inflammation, assisting uterine circulation and blood supply and also protecting the embryo.
There is emerging evidence where seminal fluid provokes an adaptive immune response in the cervical tissues after contact at intercourse, and spermatozoa accessing the higher tract potentially affect the endometrium directly. Research has now shown that sperm and seminal fluid actually help with endometrial receptivity, which is needed to create the right environment for a healthy embryo to implant.
These biological responses may have clinical significance, explaining why
[1] intercourse in IVF ET cycles improves the likelihood of pregnancy
[2] inflammatory disorders of gestation are more common in women who conceive after limited exposure to seminal fluid of the prospective father
[3] preeclampsia incidence is elevated after use of donor oocytes or donor sperm where prior contact with conceptusalloantigens has not occurred.
Research like this is important to define the mechanisms through which seminal fluid interacts with female reproductive tissues, to provide knowledge that may assist in preconception planning and infertility treatment.
It also bring attention to the fact that couples still need to be engaging in regular intercourse during IVF cycles to help not only with implantation, but to increase pregnancy rates through optimisation on the endometrial lining through contact with seminal fluid.
Regular intercourse also promotes connection and bonding for the couple as well and this is something that is very much overlooked.
My clinic offers a comprehensive Fertility Program where couples are educated on important factors such as this… and more
If you would like to find out how you could improve your chances of having a baby, please give my clinic a call and ask about my fertility program that has assisted over 12,500 babies (and counting) into the world may be able to assist you as well.
For more information on my fertility program, see also https://drandreworr.com.au/fertility/fertility-program/
Regards
Andrew Orr
-No Stone Left Unturned
-Women’s and Men’s Health Expert
-The International Fertility Experts
