We have appointments for semen analysis on every day of the week. Your doctor will request the test from us and we will send you a letter with the details of your appointment. If your GP is arranging your test, the appointment can only be made using the e-referral system.  

We know that some of our patients are having to wait longer for their appointment than we would like.  We are working our way through our waiting lists as quickly and safely as possible. If you are unable to attend your appointment or no longer need it, please contact us as soon as possible on the details below to cancel or reschedule. This will free up spaces for others who need an appointment.

Due to ongoing social distancing restrictions and infection control measures, our rooms are unavailable for you to produce your semen sample here in the hospital. We are still able to analyse a sample for you if you can bring it to the laboratory from home. A sample pot and full information will be sent by post to you closer to your appointment date.

To enable us to provide this service we ask that you follow these instructions:

  • Please deliver your semen sample on the date and time of your appointment.
  • Please try to deliver your sample to the laboratory within 1 hour of collection. We will accept samples up to 90 minutes from collection.
  • If your doctor has requested a “retrograde urine” or “post orgasmic urine analysis” please contact the laboratory as soon as possible so that we can provide you with additional information
  • You must contact the laboratory immediately if you no longer need your appointment, or if you have any questions regarding these arrangements.
  • A pot and form will be sent to you home address around one month before your appointment.
  • If you have not received you pot and form within 2 weeks of your appointment, please contact the laboratory as soon as possible so that we can resend them

Please check your pot for any cracks or damage and contact the laboratory if you require replacement. Please do not remove the lid at this time to avoid contamination.

 

Instructions for semen sample collection:

Please observe between 3 and 5 days of sexual abstinence before collecting your sample for best results. Samples provided after less than 2 days or greater than 7 days of sexual abstinence cannot be accepted as the results can be compromised.

  1. Write your name, date of birth and hospital number on the label of your pot
  2. Complete ‘Section 1’ of the production form.
  3. Please wash your hands and penis prior to collection.
  4. Do not use any lubricants
  5. Remove the lid and provide your semen sample directly into the pot provided via masturbation.
  6. Once you have collected the sample replace the lid and secure tightly.
  7. Seal the pot into the bag provided.
  8. Record the time of collection or “production time” in the space on the form.
  9. Complete ‘Section 2’ of your production form
  10. Keep the sample in a pocket close to your body during transport to the laboratory. This keeps it close to body temperature. Do not expose your sample to hot or cold temperatures as this may damage the sperm. Please avoid exposure to direct sunlight as much as possible.

When you arrive at the department a member of staff will check the details on the pot and form, and answer any questions you may have. Please wear a face covering and maintain your distance from staff and other patients to help us continue to offer this service.

If you have any questions about providing your sample or your appointment, please contact us.

We appreciate that these arrangements are less than ideal, however to minimise further delay to your appointment this is the safest way for us to provide a test for you. We greatly appreciate your patience and understanding at this difficult time.

The results of your semen analysis will be returned to your referring doctor. If your referrer is based at UCLH, they will have the results available to them at your next appointment. If your referrer is at another hospital or a GP surgery, please allow ten days for the results to reach the doctor before you contact them to discuss. Please do not contact the laboratory regarding the results as staff will not be able to give you any results either in person or via the telephone.

A semen analysis is an assessment of various aspects of a man’s sperm and semen. The aim is to identify any factors that may be influencing your fertility, and you doctor may request this for a number of reasons, for example:

  • To investigate difficulties conceiving
  • To determine fertility treatment suitability
  • To confirm success of a procedure e.g. vasectomy/vasectomy reversal
  • To assess effects of other procedures on fertility e.g. post-chemotherapy or surgery

Semen samples from the same man can vary greatly, and your doctor may request repeats tests in order to confirm the results.

The World Health Organisation has published ‘reference values’ for each of the parameters examined during a semen analysis. The values are based on the results seen in men who have achieved a pregnancy within 12 months of ceasing contraception. Values outside of these ranges do not necessarily mean that you are infertile, but can indicate potential difficulties in achieving a pregnancy.

The table below is taken from the World Health Organisation publication (2010). The figures in bold are used as the ‘reference values’ for what might be considered ‘normal’. In fact, the different semen parameters need to be considered in relation to each other and there are no strict cut-offs for what is ‘normal’ or ‘fertile’. Your doctor can help you to understand your results.

 

Semen Parameter

Centile

2.5

5

10

25

50

75

90

95

97.5

Semen Volume (ml)

1.2

1.5

2.0

2.7

3.7

4.8

6.0

6.8

7.6

Sperm Concentration (millions / ml)

9

15

22

41

73

116

169

213

259

Total Sperm Number (millions / ejaculate)

23

39

69

142

255

422

647

802

928

Total Motility (%)

34

40

45

53

61

69

75

78

81

Progressive Motility (%)

28

32

39

47

55

62

69

72

75

Sperm with Normal Morphology (%)

3

4

5.5

9

15

24.5

36

44

48

Antisperm Antibodies

Consensus value: >50% binding in MAR test could indicate immunological impact on fertility