Canadian Fertility Consultants – A full medical and reproductive history, along with any surgeries you’ve had and medications you’re taking; Lifestyle questions, including your exercise, smoking, and drug use; A physical exam; A frank discussion about your sexual life, including any problems with sex or previous sexually transmitted diseases
Semen Analysis- Sperm is collected into a specimen jar and presented to a lab technician who examines the sperm under a microscope in order to evaluate the count, shape, appearance, and mobility of the sperm.If the sperm count is found to be low, the fertility specialist will probably test the blood testosterone, FSH, LH and prolactin levels.
Urinalysis- to be used to search for white blood cells–an indicator of possible infection.Urinalysis will also show the possible presence of sperm in the urine–an indicator of a possible problem with ejaculation known as retrograde ejaculation.While determining the sperm count, the technician will also be checking to see if the sperm concentration is above or below 20 million sperm cells per milliliter of ejaculation fluid.
Sperm agglutination: A laboratory test involving the examination of sperm under a microscope to determine if the sperm are clumping together.Clumping prevents sperm from swimming through the cervical mucus.
Sperm penetration assay: A laboratory test utilizing hamster eggs to evaluate a sperm’s capability of penetrating the egg.This test is rarely used.
Hemizona assay: A laboratory test in which a non-usable human egg is cut in half.The purpose of the procedure is to see if the sperm are able to penetrate the outermost protective layer of the egg.
Acrosome reaction: A laboratory test that helps determine if sperm heads are able to go through the chemical changes necessary to dissolve an egg’s tough outer shell.
Hypo-osmotic swelling: A laboratory test that uses a special sugar and salt solution to evaluate the sperm’s tail and ability of the sperm to penetrate the egg.The tails of healthy sperm tend to swell in the solution in contrast with dead or abnormal sperm where the tails do not swell.
Testicular biopsy: A small piece of tissue is removed from the tubules in the testes and examined to determine how well sperm are being produced.
Vasography: An x-ray exam is used to determine if there is blockage or leakage of sperm in the vas deferens.
Ultrasonography: An exam used to locate damage or blockages in the male reproductive tract, including the prostate, seminal vesicles, and ejaculatory ducts.
