Description:

Approximately 10-15% couples of reproductive age suffer from infertility and 40-50% of infertility is caused by problem with sperm. Male fertility test will help you determine if the sperm acitivity in the specimen is normal or lower than usual. Normal sperm activity is associated with a better chance of conception. The test will check both the sperm count and the sperm activity (motility).

According to the World Health Organization, a healthy man should have approximately 20.000.000 sperm per 1 milliliter of ejaculate. This male fertility test is a unique at-home test that will help you determine if the sperm concentration is higher or lower than 20 million/milliliter.

Positive result is a good news, but does not necessarily mean fertility. There are many possible reasons for male infertility (insufficient sperm motility, quality or morphology…). The main reason is, however, a low sperm count in ejaculate. The sperm quality is effected by your physical health, stress, lifestyle, fever, physical exercise, travelling and dietary changes.

Negative result does not have to be a bad news, since it save you several months of trying to conceive without an expected result and proper treatment. In this case, we recommend you to discuss the issue with your doctor for professional medical help and advice.

Kit for sperm count and quality detection (Colorimetric method)

This kit is to be used for qualitatively detecting the sperm count of human semen in vitro. This means that the test will determine if the number of sperm is high enough for egg fertilization to happen during sexual intercourse with a female partner who is ovulating. A low sperm count would indicate that fertilization is less likely to happen, and if the result shows a low sperm count we recommend that you see your doctor who can advise what you can do to improve the number and quality of sperm.

This kit for sperm count detection (Colorimetric method) uses an inert glass fibre membrane with high water absorption and a pore size of less than 0.5 micrometer, which is designed to filter the semen. Sperm cells will get caught on the first layer of the membrane. Staining fluid quickly dyes the sperm cells and the darker the colour, the higher the sperm count on the filter membrane. By comparing the sperm colour with the reference colour (20 million/ml, specified by WHO) of  the well B on the test cassette, you will find out that if the colour of the sample well A is lighter than the colour of the well B, the sperm count is insufficient or low, and if the colour of the sample well A is darker than the colour of the well B, the sperm count is sufficient and high.

Before carrying out the test, it is important that you abstain from sexual activities for 3-7 days. This will guarantee that the volume and quality of sperm is high enough and so the test will then accurately determinate the sperm count. Using masturbation, the semen should be secreted directly into a sperm collecting cup. The test should be carried out within maximum of 2 hours. Once the test is carried out the result must be read within 5 minutes, because the colour intensity of the test result will fade gradually. Some people have difficulty recognizing colours and their intensity. In this case, if you need to get in touch with us, a photograph will help us confirm the result (our contact details are below).

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

If you are not sure what is meant by the answers given below, please familiarize yourself with the instructions for use.

Why should I abstain from any sexual activity for 3-7 days before carrying out the test?

After ejaculation, sperm count in the epididymis needs to get back to normal level, which takes about three days. If the abstinence period before the test exceeds 7 days, the matured sperm in the epididymis (where sperm is stored) begins to die (apoptosis), and this may also affect the test result.

Why do I have to wait 15 minutes before the semen can be taken out from the collecting cup for test and why must the sample be used within 12 hours?

Fresh semen is thick and normal semen needs to be incubated for 30-60 minutes at 37℃ to liquefy completely. About 30% of men suffer from poor liquefaction to varying degrees, and the semen does not liquefy until the temperature reaches 37 ℃. Semen can be used for testing only in liquid form, since thick semen will not soak into the test well completely. The flakes at the bottom of the collecting cup help to liquefy the semen within 15 minutes. If the sperm specimen has been stored for too long, it will not liquefy properly and that will affect the test result.

How long does it take for the semen and the solution to soak into the test well?

Broadly speaking, the sperm and solutions should pass the membrane within several seconds. If the semen and solutions do not soak into the test well after 5 minutes, this means the semen has not liquefied properly or the sperm density is too high. If this happens, you should repeat the test. The reasons why semen did not liquefy may be that the enzyme in the collecting cup ceased working or that the user did not use the sperm collecting cup correctly.

Are the solutions used for the test safe?

The solutions are safe and non-toxic, but should only be used as specified.

Does a negative result mean that the subject will not be able to father children?

Not necessarily. Sperm count is one of the important indicators reflecting male fertility, but there are other factors that can cause male infertility. In case of a negative result you should contact your doctor for further advice.

What may be the cause of a negative result of the test?

The subject has not abstained from sexual activities for 3 days before carrying out the test or has waited longer than 7 days, collection and storage of semen specimen have been improper, the semen has not liquefied completely, the test has not been carried out as specified, it has taken too much time to perform all the steps, or the sperm count is too high so that the seminal plasma could not get soaked completely into the membrane. These are the main reasons that can cause test failure or inaccurate diagnosis.