Additional Specimen Collection Information

Collect the semen specimen after a 2-7 day period of abstinence. Collect the specimen by masturbation into a sterile container. Care must be taken to collect the entire specimen. Washed containers are not acceptable. In certain situations, the physician may supply the patient with an SCD, seminal collection device, which is a condom designed for seminal fluid collection and evaluation. Ordinary latex condoms must not be used for semen collection because they contain agents that interfere with the motility of sperm. If there is any question of a specimen's suitability, contact the physician or a pathologist. Protect the sample from extreme temperatures (<20C or >37C) during transport. For fertility studies the specimen must arrive at the lab within one hour of collection and must be examined immediately upon arrival. For fertility studies the specimen must be kept at body temperature (37C) while being transported to the lab.