Specimen Requirements

Semen specimen collection kit

Semen Specimen Collection Kit Pick Up Process

Semen Specimen Sample Drop Off Process

Semen specimen in Ham’s F-10 preservative must arrive at the testing laboratory on the day of collection. Semen specimen must arrive at testing lab within 24 hours, or specimen will be rejected.

Specimen Type: Semen

Container/Tube: Post Operative Vasectomy (POV) Collection Kit

Specimen Volume:

     *Preferred: 40 mL of Ham’s Media with semen added into Sterile Container.

     Alternate: > 0.5 mL of Fresh Semen in Sterile Container.

Collection Instructions:

1. Provide patient with a Post Vasectomy (POV) Collection Kit and Semen Collection after Vasectomy Brochure. Explain the collection process with the patient. Confirm with patient which facility they will be dropping off the specimen. If dropping off at the same facility, provide the acceptable drop off date and times. If dropping off at another facility, provide the patient with the contact information of the drop-off lab to confirm an appropriate drop-off time.

2. Patient should have 2 to 3 days of sexual abstinence at the time of semen collection for accurate results.

3. For collection at home, patient will bring 40 mL of Ham’s F-10 with 0.3% BSA preservative to ambient temperature. Add Ham’s F-10 to the entire semen specimen. Once added, sperm will remain viable for 24 hours at ambient temperature. 

4. For fresh sample in sterile container: Receiving Lab: Add Ham’s media (brought room temperature) to the specimen within 2 hours of collection time.

Additional Information:

1. If Ham’s F-10 is not brought to ambient temperature, semen motility will be compromised by cold shock.

2. Patient must keep specimen at room temperature and protected from cold until it is returned to the laboratory. 

3. If the specimen is collected and dropped off at a Regional or Neighborhood site, send specimen via courier to performing Laboratory so it arrives and can be tested within 24 hour of collection.