Semen Collection and Analysis – Infertility

Your clinician wishes for you to have a sample of your semen analysed to examine for presence of sperm.

The sample container and request form for this test will be provided by your clinician. Information on how to collect the sample and submit it for testing is below. Test results will be issued to your requesting clinician who will arrange any necessary follow-up appointments.

How do I collect samples?

For your information, there are no sample collection facilities available at any of the hospital sites. Your sample should be collected in private facilities i.e., from home, before dropping it off.

To collect samples, you must:

• Wash your hands and genitals with un-perfumed soap and water.

• Then, rinse off all soap with clear water and dry thoroughly.

• Produce the sample into the sterile container by masturbation, taking care to collect all the fluid. A condom or lubricant jellies must not be used.

• The whole sample should be collected directly into the container provided.

• Ensure that the lid of the container is tightly secured; the laboratory will not examine the sample if part of the sample has leaked out or if a full sample is not submitted.

Where do I submit or drop off the sample?

Delivery of Sample

After collection, specimens must arrive at the Clinical Pathology Reception at the University Hospital of North Tees as soon as possible and within 1 hour of collection; the activity of any sperm present will start to deteriorate rapidly after this time and your result accuracy may be affected.

Keep the sample at body temperature during transport.

Ideally the specimen should be taken directly to the Clinical Pathology Reception at the University Hospital of North Tees. Semen samples are accepted between the hours of 9:00am and 4:30pm, Monday to Friday only, excluding bank holidays.

In rare cases, specimens may be accepted outside these hours; however, prior agreement must be obtained by contacting Cellular Pathology on 01642 624446.

Alternatively, samples may be taken as quickly as possible, within 1 hour of production, to Pathology Reception at either James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, The Friarage Hospital, Northallerton or University Hospital of Hartlepool, from which they will be transported to the University Hospital of North Tees.

Please be aware:

James Cook University Hospital accept specimens during the following times, Monday to Friday only, excluding bank holidays.

• 9:25am to 9:55am

• 11:25am to 11:55am

• 13:25pm to 13:55pm

• 15:25pm to 15:55pm

Friarage Pathology Reception will accept specimens during the following times, Monday to Friday only, excluding bank holidays.

•  9:45am to 10:15am

•  12:05pm to 12:35pm

•  1:00pm to 2:00pm

University Hospital of Hartlepool Pathology Laboratory accept specimens during the following times, Monday to Friday only, excluding bank holidays.

• 8:55am to 9:25am

• 10:25am to 10:55am

• 11:55am to 12:25pm

• 13:25pm to 13:55pm

Where you choose to deliver your sample to any site other than directly to the University Hospital of North Tees, please be aware that in doing so, you are accepting there may be a delay in processing your sample due to transport then being required to get your sample to the testing laboratory.

The examination will be performed at the Cellular Pathology Laboratory located within Clinical Pathology at University Hospital of North Tees.

What else do I need to submit along with the sample?

The specimen must be accompanied by a completed Andrology Request Form. The request form is provided by your clinician and must be submitted to Pathology alongside the sample.

As a minimum, the sample container must be labelled with your full name, date of birth and NHS Number, or Hospital Number if known, as well as the date and time the sample was produced. Samples submitted without this detail may not be accepted for processing and a repeat sample will be required.

The request form should include all of this information when issued by your clinician. If any information is missing, please contact your clinician to request it.

When submitting your sample, please ensure the following fields on the form are completed:

•  Name*

• Address

•   Date of Birth*

•   NHS Number*

•   Name of the Requesting Doctor

•   Date and Time of Specimen Collection*

•   Period of Abstinence/Date of last intercourse

•   Approximate amount of sample lost at collection e.g., 25%, 50%

*Samples submitted without this detail may be rejected.

What do I need to know?

Best sample for investigation can be produced two days after previous ejaculation, but no later than 6 days.

After ejaculation, it takes approximately two days for semen to be present as normal and semen will begin to deteriorate again if more than six days have elapsed without ejaculation.

Contact numbers

If you need further advice, or have any problems, please contact the appropriate number below:

Cellular Pathology
Telephone: 01642 624123
Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:30pm
Email: [email protected]

If you have any worries or concerns, you should contact your GP during normal surgery hours. Outside surgery hours, you should contact your GP’s surgery for the Out of Hours Service number.

Patient Experience Team (PET)

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust and South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust would like your feedback. If you would like to share your experience about your care and treatment or on behalf of a patient, please contact The Patient Experience Team who will help you to do this.

This service is based at the University Hospital of North Tees and at James Cook University Hospital but also covers The University Hospital of Hartlepool, The Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, our community hospitals and community health services.

Out of Hours
If you wish to speak to a senior member of Trust staff, please contact the hospital switchboard (numbers below).