LHR’s Andrology division focuses on the single most important factor determining a man’s fertility potential – the production of healthy sperm.

A semen analysis, which provides information about sperm count, motility and morphology, has classically been used as the marker of male fertility potential. However, there are other parameters given in a semen analysis that are often neglected or overlooked; these may indicate important pathologies, such as infection, prostatic disease, immunological infertility, retrograde ejaculation, malformation or obstruction of the genital tract, tumour, and congenital or endocrine disorders.

Early diagnosis of the male factor is important in order to detect any underlying pathology, to determine the extent of infertility, and to ensure appropriate treatment. It may also avoid unnecessary investigations for the female partner, particularly if her age is a limiting factor.

For men who have had a vasectomy, clearance should only be given when there is no evidence of presence of sperm in two consecutive semen samples. It is therefore vital to ensure that results are reported according to best practice guidelines. Special clearance may be given at the doctor’s discretion when there are persistent non-motile sperm present.

Guidelines for Producing Samples

Ideally semen samples should be produced on-site at LHR’s Patient Reception at Marconistraat 16, Rotterdam. Patients should abstain from ejaculation for 2–3 days before the test (but no less than 2 days and no longer than 5 days). This requirement is important for semen analyses and post-vasectomy analyses to ensure reliability of results. It is possible that samples that do not comply with guidelines for abstinence and collection may not be able to be processed. All semen samples must be produced directly into the sterile containers provided by TDL.

All containers are weighed and batch tested for sperm cytotoxicity. In exceptional circumstances when semen samples are produced off-site, they can only be accepted by the Andrology Department in sample containers provided by LHR.

WHO 2010 guidelines state that two semen analyses should be performed before any diagnosis is confirmed. This may require requests for two (separate) semen analyses.