• Semen specimen produced by masturbation only, collected into a sterile, non-toxic, pre-weighed, wide-mouthed clear plastic container provided by the laboratory with a hand written label. Note: Any lost fraction of sample can be recorded on the patient’s pre-analysis questionnaire (provided by the laboratory).
• Non-toxic condoms may only be used for sample collection in exceptional circumstances, such as when it is evident that the patient has an inability to produce a sample by masturbation and only after the GP has discussed these circumstances with the laboratory prior to the patient booking a sample delivery appointment.
• The patient needs to have abstained from intercourse/ejaculation for 48 hours prior to sample collection, but needs to have had intercourse or ejaculated at least once, 5 days prior to the 48-hour abstinence period, for an abstinence period to meet the 7-2 days requirement.
• Patients will be recommended to produce their samples on-site in the available onsite production room facility available at both NNUH and QEHKL in order to ensure their sample is tested within 60 minutes. Samples produced at home must be delivered well within 60 minutes of production, ideally at 30 minutes’ post sample production so the start time of analysis can commence within 60 minutes in accordance with the WHO Guidelines.
• There is no minimum sample volume required – samples of low volume may be of clinical significance. 
• Containers are supplied to patient by the laboratory and need to be labelled with the patient’s full name, date of birth and HRN/NHS number by hand and not using any additional pre-labelled stickers found on the ICE form (ICE form stickers are for internal laboratory use only) as this affects the final sample volume – The sample container labelling will be carried out by the laboratory if the patient is producing their sample on site.
• A pre-analysis questionnaire need to be completed and signed by the patient.

• Must be at least 12 weeks’ post-procedure and after a minimum of 20 ejaculations. NOTE: If the analysis has taken place sooner than 12 weeks post procedure the test will need to be repeated.
• A complete ejaculate of semen produced my masturbation only, collected into a pre-weighed non-toxic container provided by the laboratory.
• NOTE: Incomplete samples & samples that have leaked in transit cannot be tested and will be rejected.
• NOTE: Samples produced in any other container than that provided by the laboratory will be rejected.
• The patient needs to have abstained from intercourse/ejaculation for 48 hours prior to sample collection, but needs to have had intercourse or ejaculated at least once, 5 days prior to the 48-hour abstinence period, for an abstinence period to meet the 7-2 days’ requirement NOTE: If the patient has not adhered to the abstinence period they will be required to repeat the test.
• Patients will be recommended to produce their samples on-site in the available onsite production room facility available at both NNUH and QEHKL in order to ensure their sample is tested within 60 minutes. Samples produced at home must be delivered well within 60 minutes of production, ideally at 30 minutes post sample production so the start time of analysis can commence within 60 minutes in accordance with the 2016 Post Vasectomy Semen Analysis Guidelines. NOTE: If immotile cells are present in the sample and the analysis has not taken place within 60 minutes the test will need to be repeated.
• Containers are supplied to patient by the laboratory and need to be labelled with the patient’s full name, date of birth and HRN/NHS number by hand and not using any additional pre-labelled stickers found on the ICE form (ICE form stickers are for internal laboratory use only) as this affects the final sample volume – The sample container labelling will be carried out by the laboratory if the patient is producing their sample on site.
• A pre-analysis questionnaire need to be completed and signed by the patient.

• The entire sample has leaked in transit (Basic Semen Analysis). Partial loss of sample is acceptable for Basic Semen Analysis with a record of the lost fraction on the patient-pre analysis questionnaire.
• Samples that are dropped off at the laboratory reception when the patient has not attended his sample delivery appointment and there is no patient pre-analysis form filled out.
• Unlabelled/incorrectly labelled samples (for example those that are dropped off at the laboratory reception when the patient has not attended his sample delivery appointment). 
• Samples that arrive at the laboratory when the patient does not have an appointment and the workload in the laboratory does not allow time for the sample to be tested.
• Samples that arrive at the laboratory through the EPA GP blood sample transport system.
• The patient does not have a valid request from a clinician for the test.
• If a sample has been brought to the sample delivery appointment by a representative and the pre-analysis questionnaire has not been signed by the patient.
• Samples that are not produced on the same day as their scheduled appointment.  

• Incomplete samples & samples that have leaked in transit
• Samples received in a container other than that provided by the laboratory.
• Samples produced in a non-toxic condom.
• Samples older than 4 hours old at the time of sample delivery.
• Sample tested sooner than 12 weeks post vasectomy procedure.
• Samples where the patient has not adhered to the recommended abstinence period.
• Samples that are dropped off at the laboratory reception when the patient has not attended his sample delivery appointment and there is no patient pre-analysis form filled out.
• Unlabelled/incorrectly labelled samples (for example those that are dropped off at the laboratory reception when the patient has not attended his sample delivery appointment). 
• Samples that arrive at the laboratory when the patient does not have an appointment and the workload in the laboratory does not allow time for the sample to be tested.
• Samples that arrive at the laboratory through the EPA GP blood sample transport system.
• The patient does not have a valid request from a clinician for the test.
• If a sample has been brought to the sample delivery appointment by a representative and the pre-analysis questionnaire has not been signed by the patient.

The patient will arrive at the Pathology reception and be greeted by a laboratory staff member who will escort the patient to their private on site production room. The patient will be provided with a labelled container and a pre-analysis questionnaire to complete. If the sample has been produced at home the laboratory staff will check that all the required paperwork is complete and signed (pre-analysis questionnaire), request form is present and the sample container has been correctly labelled. This checking process only takes a few minutes. Only then can samples be accepted for testing (Note: sample packs are sent directly to the patient if they require to produce their sample at home after an appointment is made. Please do not provide the patient with any container/s).

NOTE: If a patient arrives more than 15 minutes late to their appointment the laboratory may not be able to continue to accommodate their appointment, and the patient may be turned away and informed that they will need to re-book their appointment via the online appointment booking service.

• Samples produced at home: All samples are to be brought to the laboratory by the patient on the date and time of their appointment and must be less than 50 minutes old at the time of their appointment, ideally 30 minutes’ post sample production. Samples delivered after 50 minutes’ post collection due to travel time or traffic issues will not be rejected, but the timeframe between collection and time of analysis will be noted on the final report and suitable comments will be added to the report if any of the results are abnormal. NOTE: The requirements for Post Vasectomy samples is different (see PVSA sample requirements and PVSA sample rejection criteria).  
• The patient must ensure that the sample is kept as close to body temperature (between 20-37°C) as possible by keeping the sample close to the body in a trouser/coat pocket during transport to the laboratory.
• The patient needs to have correctly completed and signed the pre-analysis questionnaire.
• The patient must bring their request form to the sample delivery appointment.
• Samples may be delivered by the patient’s partner/representative only if the patient has labelled the sample container with three points of identification and correctly completed and signed the pre-analysis questionnaire. The patient’s partner/representative must bring the patient’s request form to the sample delivery appointment, and must adhere to the sample delivery requirements stated above and in the patient information leaflet.
• Note: Samples delivered by a representative where the patient has not signed the patient’s pre-analysis questionnaire will be rejected. 

Basic Semen Analysis appointments are usually booked a minimum of 10 days in advance to allow sufficient time for patients to read the information leaflets and adhere to the sample collection instructions, and if they are producing their sample at home, this provides enough time for posting the sample pack directly to the patient’s home address.

Post Vasectomy Semen Analysis appointments should be no sooner than 12 weeks’ post-procedure and after a minimum of 20 ejaculations (Note: the laboratory takes no responsibility for the monitoring or recording of this recommendation that analysis takes place after ‘a minimum of 20 ejaculations’ as stated by the 2016 Post Vasectomy Semen Analysis Guidelines).  It is the responsibility of the patient to ensure their appointment takes place after 12 weeks post vasectomy procedure. If their analysis has taken place sooner, they will be asked to repeat the test.

The current approximate waiting times for appointments at NNUH are between 9 – 10 weeks from the day of booking depending upon availability.

The current approximate waiting times for appointments at QEHKL are between 3 -4 weeks from the day of booking depending upon availability.