Male Infertility

The Department of Urology Andrology Laboratory is licensed clinical laboratory facility that provides testing of the male partner of an infertile couple.

Complete Semen Analysis includes semen volume, color, pH, viscosity, liquefaction, sperm concentration, sperm motility, sperm morphology using strict criteria, sperm viability, white blood cell concentration, debris and agglutination.

Antisperm Antibody Testing
If certain abnormal parameters are noted in the routine semen analysis, further testing may be indicated. The more advanced workup can include antisperm antibody testing which is performed to test for antibodies that can harm sperm. Antisperm antibodies are produced by the body and may form in response to varicocele, vasectomy, testicular trauma, intercourse, or sometimes for unknown reasons. If antisperm antibodies are found, treatment options are available including suppression of the antibodies to improve fertility, or if necessary, the use of assisted reproductive techniques to fertilize the egg directly.

Fructose Testing
Fructose is produced only in the seminal vesicles. These organs contribute more than half of the volume of the ejaculate. Fructose is transported from the seminal vesicles into the ejaculate through the same ejaculatory ducts that transport sperm. If a semen specimen contains no sperm, the condition is termed “azoospermia.” Fructose testing helps diagnose if azoospermia is caused by an obstruction of the ejaculatory ducts or caused by a congenital abnormality of the ducts and/or seminal vesicles.

Semen Processing
In collaboration and support of the Department of OB/GYN infertility center, semen processing is performed to prepare semen specimens used in intrauterine insemination. This processing includes sperm washing, swim-up, and sperm gradient processing.

Retrograde Specimens
In certain conditions, such as diabetes, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, sperm may be produced but during ejaculation flows backward into the bladder instead of out in the normal direction. Our laboratory is experienced in the retrieval and processing of these type of specimens for use in assisted reproduction such as intra-uterine insemination, (IUI), or the in-vitro technologies, (IVF, ICSI).

Post Vasectomy
After vasectomy, the number of sperm present in an initial exam of the ejaculate may be very small. For this reason, ejaculates which appear to have no sperm in them on routine microscopic exam are re-examined after being concentrated by spinning in a centrifuge.