Semen Collection Patient Prep
Instructions for Collection Semen Specimens and/or for Scheduling a Semen Analysis
All semen analyses are performed in the Andrology Laboratory
Continuum Reproductive Center
425 West 59 Street, Suite 5A
NY, NY 10019
Please call 212-523-7751 for an appointment for your semen analysis.
Appointment hours:
Monday through Friday from 9:30 am–2:30 pm.
Appointments must be made at least two (2) days in advance.
Abstain from ejaculation for 2-5 days prior to the day of the semen analysis. Do not abstain for longer than 5 days.
It is best that semen samples are collected at the CRC. Collect the specimen by manual masturbation into a sterile collection cup, which will be provided to you. Do not use lubricants or ointments as they may interfere with the function of the sperm. Collection of semen by intercourse using a condom or by oral stimulation may yield suboptimal samples and should be avoided. Do not use condoms. Should you need to provide semen by intercourse, i.e., for religious reasons, a special condom will be provided to you or prescribed for you. In such cases, carefully remove the condom immediately after ejaculation and place the condom into a sterile specimen cup.
As mentioned, it is best that samples are collected at the CRC. However, if produced off-site, all of the conditions in the above paragraph should be observed. In addition, the specimen should be brought to the laboratory not more than one hour after ejaculation. Care should be taken to carry the specimen upright and close to the body to avoid exposing it to extreme temperatures. Do not touch the inside of the collection cup as contamination may occur.
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Samples will be rejected and will not be analyzed if they do not have the following information on their labels: |
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- Last and first name of man producing the sample
- Date of man’s birth
- Date and time of ejaculation
- Spouse or partner’s last and first names
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All samples must be accompanied by a semen submission form (provided by the CRC) and requisition form signed by the ordering physician. |
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If a semen sample is to be cryopreserved (frozen) for future use, the man who produced the sample must be present when it is turned in to the lab. |
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Within five (5) working days of testing, results will be made available to the physician only. |
A Kruger, or critical morphology, of the sperm is performed in most semen analyses. It is one of the principal indicators of the ability of the sperm to penetrate an egg. Most insurance carriers do not cover the cost of the critical morphology and a $200 payment is due at the time of the semen analysis. The cost of the basic semen analysis will be billed to the insurance company if the benefit is covered. As a service to those men whose basic semen analysis is not covered by the insurance carrier, the CRC will charge only the $200 for the critical morphology and forego the fee for the basic semen analysis.
If the sperm motility (percentage of moving sperm) is <20%, the laboratory will perform a sperm viability test to determine what percentage of the sperm are viable. This test incurs an additional charge to the patient.
If no sperm are seen in the specimen, a condition called azoospermia, a fructose test will be performed to determine if there is an obstruction in the male reproductive tract. This test incurs an additional charge to the patient.
Semen Analysis at the Continuum Reproductive Center
The Continuum Reproductive Center can provide accurate and detailed semen analysis in our technologically-advanced Andrology Laboratory. We can provide these services to you directly as our patient, or through your referring physician if you are not a patient of the CRC.
The following services are provided:
Comprehensive Semen Analysis
- Concentration – number of sperm per volume of semen
- Motility – percentage of moving sperm in the ejaculate
- Volume – amount of ejaculate fluid
- pH – acidity/alkalinity of the semen
- Basic morphology – percentage of sperm in the ejaculate that are normally-shaped
Critical (Kruger) Morphology
- Detailed assessment of morphological parameters associated with the fertilization potential of sperm
Semen washing
- Preparation of ejaculated semen for intrauterine insemination or in vitro fertilization
Antisperm Antibody Testing
- Determines the existence of antibodies that can inhibit fertility potential
Sperm Viability Test
- Determines if non-motile sperm are viable
Biochemical Testing
- Fructose Test – aids in determining the location of a possible obstruction in the semen production pathway
- Peroxidase Test – evaluates the semen for the presence of white blood cells (suggesting infection or inflammation)
Cryopreservation of Semen
- Process of freezing sperm for later use
Semen Culture
- Evaluates the semen for the presence of bacterial contamination and infection
To arrange an appointment or inquire about our services, please call the Continuum Reproductive Center (CRC) at 212-523-7751.
The CRC is located at 425 West 59th Street, Suite 5A, across from Roosevelt Hospital, 2 blocks from Columbus Circle.
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