1.

Patient Details

Motility of spermatozoa declines rapidly with time, so it is important that the specimen reaches the laboratory within one hour of production if possible and that date and time are given, as this aids in deciding if sluggish motility is pathological or due to time lapse between specimen production and analysis.
Specimen complete: Since most of the spermatozoa are found within the first part of the sample, it is important to know if the entire specimen was collected.

Physical Properties

Volume: 

This can be of importance in low sperm density, poor motility and poor morphology specimens.

pH:

This can be important in azoospermic specimens and will be mentioned in the “comments” box if relevant.

Appearance:

Normally homogenous, gray-opalescent appearance.

Liquefaction

Normally within 60 minutes.

Consistency:

Also known as viscosity. High viscosity can interfere with determinations of motility, concentration and antibody coating of spermatozoa.

3.

Motility

4.

Agglutination

Motile spermatozoa may stick to each other. Agglutination may be suggestive of but is not sufficient evidence for an immunological cause of infertility.

5.

SpermMAR test

The diagnosis of immunological infertility is possible where 50% or more of the motile spermatozoa have adherent particles in the test.

6.

Morphology

Fertilisation rates decrease with less than 15% normal morphology.

Comments regarding the presence of an abnormally high percentage of leukocytes (more than 1 million per ml) will be made if appropriate

The Teratozoospermic Index (TZI) and Sperm Deformity Index (SDI) will be measured but will not be included in the report or commented upon unless significant. Measurements of the TZI and SDI are useful, since in cases where the TZI is greater than 1.6, reports suggest that this is associated with lower pregnancy rates in untreated infertile couples. In cases where the SDI is greater than 1.6, this is considered the threshold for failure of fertilisation in vitro.

N.B. It is important that the patient gives certain information. Please ensure that they complete the section at the bottom of the 'NOTES FOR PATIENTS' sheet i.e. 'Date of specimen collection' and 'Time of specimen collection' and 'Is specimen complete' boxes. Thank you.