Proper sampling instructions

Proper sampling instructions

For a reliable semen analysis it is important to pay attention to:

  • Medical history, a high fever, an operation on the genital area or a drug treatment can significantly affect. In any case, it is important to record before the examination all those incidents that may affect spermatogenesis and take them into account when evaluating the results.
  • Days of abstinence , it is mistakenly believed that the longer the abstinence, the better the sperm. However, the period between 2 and 4 days is the ideal length of abstinence from ejaculation that the examinee should have.
  • Sample collection  only one complete ejaculation by masturbation in a sterile urinal container is needed. If necessary, the use of a special condom is also provided. In case the semen analysis is combined with a microbiology tests, the examinee must urinate before ejaculation and wash his hands and penis carefully with plenty of water so that there is no soap residue.
  • Complete semen sample collection, is necessary for the correct analysis, not to lose any drops especially from the first fraction of ejaculation.Practically, this means that a loss of the first drops during ejaculation can result in the non-liquefaction of the sample as well as a reduced sperm concentration. Accordingly, if drops are lost from the final fraction, then the sperm count will appear falsely elevated
  • Semen sample transfer The sample should be provided within 30-45 minutes and kept warm, close to 37ο.