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The male factor is half the equation, but it is often neglected. When test results are poor, male patients are often ignored— and IVF or any other form of assisted conception is suggested. Men are often treated as sperm banks: Once sperm is extracted, men tend to be forgotten.
In the dash for babies, health reasons for poor sperm parameters can be overlooked. We believe they should be addressed, not only for the sake of improving sperm quantity and quality, but also to improve men's overall health. It is simply not good enough to take sperm at face value when our track record shows sperm parameters improve in the majority of cases.
We will explain the results to you and explore your options if there are issues. As a reputable laboratory carries out our tests, the results are accepted by all doctors and clinics in the world. Most results are available between 1 and 3 days.
Have a look at our comprehensive set of pathology tests below.
We're also happy to offer advice on which tests you may want to take, and help interpreting any results you already have.
This is the first line test we offer. Our comprehensive semen analysis tests all parameters recommended by the World Health Organisation, including sperm count, motility, morphology, vitality and anti-sperm antibodies.
There are two preconditions:
no high fever over the last 12 weeks
abstain from ejaculation for at least two, but no more than five days before the test
This comprehensive semen analysis is the first that doctors will ask for if you
are under 35 and have tried for over six months, or
over 35 and have tried for over a year
If you have already done a semen test and found you have issues, you may wish to check out our treatment page.
All major parameters recommended by the World Health Organisation, including
Sperm count
Sperm motility (total, progressive and types of movement)
Sperm morphology
Anti-sperm antibodies (MAR tests)
Vitality
Includes a report, follow-up phone call to explain the result and to talk about potential treatments.
3 working days
Monday to Friday 7am–6.30pm
Saturday 9am–3pm
The WHO recommends a retest in 12 weeks if your results show abnormalities. In the meantime, we will explore treatment options with you.
The genetic integrity of the spermatozoa is vital for normal embryo development. A high level of DNA fragmentation in sperm cells is one cause of male infertility that conventional exams (sperm concentration, motility analysis, morphology assessment) cannot detect.
This test provides a reliable analysis of sperm DNA integrity and may help in the clinical diagnosis, management and treatment of male infertility.
Embryos formed from sperm with highly fragmented DNA have a poor prognosis. Evidence suggests this could result in apoptosis and mutations that can result in blastocyst arrest, miscarriage, offspring abnormalities and increased susceptibility to childhood cancer.
A major causative factor of sperm DNA damage is oxidative stress. Other factors include abnormalities in the regulation of apoptosis or defects in topoisomerase activity. Higher levels of sperm DNA fragmentation is associated with:
Infection
Leukocytospermia
Spermcytoplasmic droplets
Febrile illness
Elevated testicular temperature
Drug use
Smoking
Exposure to environmental and occupational pollutants
Advanced age
Varicocele
You should consider the test if you have any of the following:
Unexplained infertility
Multiple failed IVF/ICSI treatments
Recurrent miscarriage
Advanced age
Varicocele
Poor semen parameters
Exposure to harmful substances
Sperm are stained with a fluorescent probe that interacts with the DNA molecule. The fluorescence signal changes when the DNA is fragmented, which is monitored by a flow cytometer. The SCSA test has been developed over the last 20 years and is CLIA approved.
The results show 3 categories of fertility potential, based on the percentage of your sperm cells that contain damaged DNA, also known as the DNA fragmentation index:
Less than 15% DFI — excellent fertility potential
15%–30% DFI —good fertility potential
More than 30% DFI — fair to poor fertility potential
Includes a report, follow-up phone call to explain the result and to talk about potential treatments.
2–3 working weeks
Monday to Friday 7am–6.30pm
Saturday 9am–3pm
Some causes of DNA fragmentation cannot be treated, but if the damage is caused by free radicals, then a change in lifestyle and diet to protect against oxidative stress can reduce fragmentation levels.
Treatment of infection with antibiotics can also reduce DNA fragmentation. There is some evidence to show varicocele repair may improve sperm DNA integrity. A second test to see if initiatives are working can be done 3 months after the first.
There is increasing research to show Chinese herbal medicine, which contains high levels of antioxidants, may help oxidative stress.
Studies show that ICSI may be a more effective treatment than IVF for sperm with high DNA fragmentation.
Erectile dysfunction is more common that one thinks. It is frustrating for men and it can severely impact on relationships and marriages.
It is also an obvious factor that affects fertility. The frequency of sexual intercourse in couples will be seriously curtailed. Lower frequencies also mean intercourse may not take place at the right time of the partner’s cycle, or at all, which reduces the chance of a natural pregnancy.
Collectively, the test panel we offer below focuses on key known factors, hormonal or otherwise, for erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation.
The erectile dysfunction test yields a panel of readings:
Testosterone
Oestradiol
TSH
HbA1c
PSA
You should consider the test if you have any of the following:
Low sex drive
Low sexual satisfaction
Lost interest in sex
Advanced age
Finding it hard to get an erection
Finding it hard to maintain an erection
Suspected hormone imbalance
Includes a report, follow-up phone call to explain the result and to talk about potential treatments.
1 working day
Monday to Friday 7am–6.30pm
Saturday 9am–3pm
We have an excellent track record in improving hormones, and sperm count and quality. We’ve helped a number of men maintain erections for longer. See our treatment page for erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation.
Low libido is a problem in its own right regardless of infertility issues. It can be frustrating for men and can severely impact on relationships and marriages.
As regards fertility, low sexual desire (low libido) will lead to lower frequencies of sexual intercourse, meaning that it does not take place at the right time of the partner’s cycle, or at all, reducing the chance of a natural pregnancy.
It may also be associated with pre-mature ejaculation.
Low sex drive can have many causes ranging from physical to psychological. A good place to start looking may be to check some basic standard hormones or conditions that are known to impact on libido.
You should consider the test if you have low sex drive.
This test focuses mainly on hormones that are known to impact negatively on libido. We restrict the profile to the key known factors to keep the cost down while capturing the main common hormones that may be responsible. The male libido and hormonal imbalance test yields a panel of readings as follow:
Testosterone
Oestradiol
TSH
Fee: £150
Includes a report, follow-up phone call to explain the result and to talk about potential treatments.
1 working day
Monday to Friday 7am–6.30pm
Saturday 9am–3pm
Oxidative stress refers to the build-up of high levels of free oxygen radicals. A certain level of these is essential for normal sperm function, but once the radicals perform their function, antioxidants are required to get rid of them. This process must be continuous to maintain the required balance. Oxidative stress occurs when this balance is upset.
Put simply, oxidative stress leads to sperm damage and lower fertility. In particular, research shows:
25–80% of infertile men have a reduced antioxidant capacity and consequently high levels of oxidative stress, irrespective of pre-existing semen parameters
Oxidative stress can impact all major sperm parameters ie sperm count, motility, morphology and vitality
High oxidative stress levels cause sperm DNA fragmentation
High oxidative stress levels correlate to an increase in the time needed for natural pregnancy
High oxidative stress levels impairs fertilisation and reduces pregnancy rates after IVF
£386
Includes a report, follow-up phone call to explain the result and to talk about potential treatments.
1 working day
Monday to Friday 7am–6.30pm
Saturday 9am–3pm
2–3 days of ejaculation abstinence. As the sample will need to be processed within 20 minutes, it must be produced in a private room in a laboratory.
If infections are present, treatment of the infection can also reduce free oxygen radicals.
A diet rich in antioxidants can also help. Research has found some Chinese herbal medication contains high levels of antioxidants.
Other tests offered:
Semen culture
STD test
Genetic profiling
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While we are happy to explain your test results to you, we always advise consulting your GP and having a proper medical consultation about your result. This is because these tests are Western medical tests and are best explained by Western medical doctors. We do not accept any liability regarding interpretation of test results should you wish us help explaining them.
If you have booked a test and decide to change the time or date, we are more than happy to help you change it to one that is convenient to you at no extra charge. However, cancellation will carry a small administrative fee of £30, before refund.
