Andrology

TDL’s Andrology division focuses on the single most important factor determining a man’s fertility potential – the production of healthy sperm.

A semen analysis has classically been used as the marker of this potential, by providing information about the sperm count, motility and morphology. However, there are other parameters given in a semen analysis that are often neglected or overlooked, which may indicate important pathologies – such as infection, prostatic disease, immunological infertility, retrograde ejaculation, malformation or obstruction of the genital tract, tumour, and congenital or endocrine disorders.

Early diagnosis of the male factor is important in order to detect any underlying pathology, determine the extent of infertility and ensure appropriate treatment. It may also avoid unnecessary investigations for the female partner, particularly if her age is a limiting factor.

For men who have had a vasectomy, clearance should only be given when there is no evidence of presence of sperm in two consecutive semen samples. It is therefore vital to ensure thatresults are reported according to best practice guidelines. Special clearance may be given at the doctor’s discretion when there are persistent non-motile sperm present. 

Guidelines for Producing Samples

Ideally semen samples should be produced on-site at TDL’s Patient Reception at 76 Wimpole Street. Ideally patients must abstain from ejaculation for 2-3 days prior to the test, generally no less than 2 days and no longer than 7 days before the test is acceptable. This requirement is important for semen analyses and post vasectomy analyses to ensure reliability of results. It is possible that samples that do not comply with guidelines for abstinence and collection may not be able to be processed. For other semen tests like ROS and DNA fragmentation the abstinence period is minimum 2 days but no more than 3 days. All semen samples must be produced directly into the sterile containers provided by The Doctors Laboratory. 

All containers are weighed and batch tested for sperm cytotoxicity. In exceptional circumstances when semen samples are produced off-site, they can only be accepted by the Andrology Department in sample containers provided by TDL.

TDL Andrology provides reference values to those given in the most recent WHO guidelines (2021). WHO 2021 guidelines state that two semen analyses should be performed before any diagnosis is confirmed. This may require requests for two (separate) semen analyses.

All semen samples must be accompanied by a completed 'Information Form For Patients Producing Semen Samples'.

Download: Information Form For Patients Producing Semen Samples

Download: Semen sample collection instructions

TDL Andrology can provide language assistance in up to 30 languages. If you require a translator to help with the patient instructions and questionnaire, please email andrology@tdlpathology.com.

Appointments

It is important to make an appointment for all semen samples (on or off site), whether for a comprehensive semen analysis or for post-vasectomy analysis.

It may be necessary to give patients who attend without an appointment a specific time to re-attend. The first appointments for post vasectomy samples should usually be 12 weeks and 20 ejaculations after surgery.

Appointments can be made online at www.tdlpathology.com/andrologybooking or by calling 020 7025 7940. There is an attendance fee of £50.00 in addition to pathology charges. Please note that patients attending for semen samples at TDL Andrology will not have access to Wi-Fi and no adult material will be provided, patients would need to make sure any material required is downloaded prior to their visit.

Please complete a Pathology Request Form for your patient. If you would like to request other pathology, you can use the same form or complete a second additional form. Results will usually be reported to you within 48 hours.

If you would like to discuss these tests, or any aspect of this service, please contact TDL Andrology on 020 7025 7940 or email andrology @tdlpathology.com for further information.

Book an appointment online