It is estimated that in 30-40% of couples seeking help with infertility, there are combined male and female factors which must be considered in the treatment plan. Even where a female factor has been identified, a complete infertility work-up for the couple should include a semen analysis. There are two sperm tests offered at PCRM: SPERM SCREEN and Sperm Functional Assessment (SFA).

SPERM SCREEN

This test will most often be ordered by your family physician, as part of the initial infertility investigation.

Full Sample Assessment
The sample assessment performed in the PCRM lab conforms to World Health Organization standards for both the methods used and for quality assurance. The semen sample will be examined within 30 minutes of being received in the lab, after it has had time to completely liquefy. The assessment includes sperm count and motility, and the quality of motility. Sperm morphology is analyzed, and in addition the TZI (teratozoospermia index) is calculated – this number tells the physician the average number of defects seen per abnormal sperm, and is often helpful in deciding a suitable recommendation for treatment.

Antisperm Antibodies Screen
Sometimes men produce antibodies against their own sperm, especially following testicular injury, or vasectomy reversal. Antisperm antibodies may interfere with the movement of sperm along the female reproductive tract, and may also affect the sperm’s ability to fertilize the egg. If the antisperm antibody screen is positive, further testing is required to identify the sub-types of antibodies present, and their possible clinical significance.

SPERM FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS (SFA)

This test will normally be ordered by one of the PCRM physicians, although not exclusively. The SFA provides extra information about the functionality of the sperm for different infertility treatments.

Full Sample Assessment
and Antisperm Antibody Screen

The antisperm antibody screen is done in the same way as the sperm screen. If the screen is positive, the sample will be tested further, so that the sub-types of antibodies involved are identified, along with the percentage of motile sperm affected by antibodies, and consequently their clinical significance.

Trial Wash
Whenever a medical intervention is to be used for insemination, the sperm have to be separated from the whole semen, since seminal fluid contains factors that are harmful to the sperm and their function. The PCRM lab uses a density gradient procedure for this separation process. A trial wash of the sample is done to ensure that enough good quality sperm will be available for the treatment recommended by your physician. The trial wash selects the most motile sperm that are likely to be able to fertilize, and also shows how many sperm we can expect to recover for a treatment procedure.

INTERPRETING THE SPERM SCREEN and SFA RESULTS

There is no single, definitive test for sperm fertility, and therefore your doctor has to weigh the results of the Sperm Screen along with the results of all the other tests both partners have completed. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that any particular treatment will result in a pregnancy, but both Sperm Screen and SFA can give information which will help your physician to develop a treatment plan which is specifically appropriate for you and your partner.

COST OF TESTING

Sperm Screen and Sperm Functional Assessment are not insured services. Please refer to the current Fee guide for costs.

PREPARING FOR SPERM TESTS

Because sperm are being made all the time, you need to have abstained from ejaculating for 2-3 days before the test. This allows enough sperm for us to run the tests. However, after a few days of waiting inside the man’s body, the sperm will start to die off – so it is important that you don’t abstain for more than 5 days before the test, as this may affect the results. It is preferable that the semen sample is produced on site at PCRM, as this means that testing can be done as soon as possible, and results will therefore be most accurate.

SCHEDULING OF SPERM TESTING

Please telephone during office hours (Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm) to make an appointment. You will need to schedule your appointment at least a few days in advance, since the lab can only run a certain number of tests per day. Also, please let us know as soon as possible if you need to cancel your appointment.

INTERPRETING YOUR RESULTS

All of your results will be sent to your doctor within 7 to 10 days of your appointment. The lab is not able to give you the results of your test, as they need to be interpreted by your doctor in consideration of the results of all your other investigations.