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Semen Analysis for Fertility Testing

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB5160

Department

Hematology

Instructions

• Semen Analysis for Fertility Testing MUST be pre-scheduled with the Appointment Center. Call 800-328-8542 for instructions on collection and to schedule an appointment for drop off of the specimen.
• Collection containers, supplies, and instructions should be obtained at the Outpatient Laboratory or another Beaumont Laboratory Patient Service Center. Sterile collection containers from a physician's office are also acceptable. Collection instructions are also available [HERE]. This form MUST be submitted with the specimen.
• The sample should be collected after a minimum of 48 hours but not more than seven days of sexual abstinence. For a repeated sample, the period abstinence should be constant.
• NOTE: Due to specimen stability, all specimens MUST be delivered to Beaumont Hospital Troy, Area B Laboratory OR to the Dearborn Medical Office Building, Suite 107 in Dearborn Hospital and Medical Center. For questions, call the Troy Laboratory at 800-551-0488 or Dearborn Laboratory at 800-245-3725.

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect (preferred specimen): Entire ejaculate in a sterile collection container.
Also acceptable: Special Laboratory-issued condom, placed in a sterile collection container. Only condoms issued by the Laboratory are acceptable.

The specimen must be delivered to the Laboratory within 45 minutes of collection. Maintain the specimen at 37°C (as close to body temperature as possible) during transport.

Rejection Criteria

• Sample collected in container with chemical or soap residues or in ordinary latex condom (not issued by the Laboratory).
• Insufficient specimen or specimens delivered more than 1 hour after collection.

In-Lab Processing

Specimens must be processed immediately upon receipt in the Laboratory.

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 45 minutes (Keep as close to body temperature as possible.)
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): Unacceptable
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days

Laboratory

Troy Hematology Laboratory
Dearborn Hematology Laboratory

Performed

Monday – Friday, Day Shift by appointment only.
Results available within 24 hours.

Reference Range

Appearance:

Sperm Count:

Motility:

Morphology

WHO 5^th edition (see below under Reference).

Test Methodology

SQA-V Analyzer, Manual Microscopy.

Interpretation

Infertility is related to the male in 40-50% of cases. Male infertility can be affected by multiple factors, which are readily tested by semen analysis, including sperm count, viability, morphology and abnormalities of the semen itself. Seminal fluid parameters can vary significantly between analyses. Abnormalities may also be related to collection error, and short or prolonged abstinence. Thus, two to three ejaculates from between one to three weeks apart are suggested to provide the most reliable assessment of fertility potential and confirm the presence of abnormalities. Abnormalities of semen volume, appearance, sperm number, and/or morphology can decrease fertility. If a persistent abnormality is discovered, additional laboratory testing may be required for further evaluation.

Clinical Utility

This test is useful for the initial workup of infertility. Male infertility can be due to numerous causes including a decreased absolute sperm count, disorders of sperm morphology and/or motility.

Reference

1. WHO, WHO Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Human Semen, Fifth Edition, World Health Organization, 2010.

CPT Codes

89320

Contacts

Last Updated

12/22/2022