Sperm recovery from the peritoneal fluid was attempted in a group of infertile women in whom it was anticipated that all routine investigations would be normal (commonly referred to as 'normal infertiles'). Forty-four couples were recruited into the study but in retrospect only 24 met the study criteria of normal semen, normal pelvis and appropriate timing. In 15 of these 24 patients, spermatozoa were covered from the peritoneal fluid, and so far seven have become pregnant. In the nine patients where spermatozoa were not recovered, none have so far become pregnant. There was no correlation between sperm recovery and the quality of the post-insemination cervical mucus examination. This test allows more accurate assessment of the ability of spermatozoa to reach the site of fertilization.