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HelpTest ID MSTC Strict Criteria Sperm Morphology for Infertility Diagnosis and Treatment, Semen
Useful For
Diagnosing male infertility
Selecting the most cost-effective therapy for treating male-factor infertility
Quantifying the number of germinal and WBCs per mL of semen
Method Name
Kruger Criteria Strict Morphology
Reporting Name
Strict Criteria Sperm MorphologySpecimen Type
SemenSemen specimen must arrive within 24 hours of collection. Send specimen Monday through Thursday only and not the day before a holiday. If holiday falls on a Saturday, holiday will be observed on the preceding Friday. Sunday holidays are observed on the following Monday. Specimen should be collected and packaged as close to shipping time as possible. Laboratory does not perform testing on weekends.
Container/Tube: Semen Analysis Kit (Supply T178)
Collection Instructions: Patient should have 2 to 7 days of sexual abstinence at the time of semen collection for accurate results.
Specimen Volume: Total ejaculate
Additional Information: Specimen volume is required.
Specimen Minimum Volume
A minimum count is needed. Lab will determine.
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Semen | Ambient | |
Clinical Information
Infertility affects 1 out of 6 couples of child-bearing age. Approximately 40% of infertility has a female-factor cause and 40% a male-factor cause. The remaining 20% of infertility is due to a combination of male- and female-factor disorders or is unexplained.
Abnormalities in sperm morphology are related to: defects in sperm transport, sperm capacitation, the acrosome reaction, binding/penetration of the zona pellucida, and fusion with the oocyte vitelline membrane. All of these steps are essential to normal fertility.
Strict criteria sperm morphology testing also greatly assists with selecting the most cost-effective in vitro sperm processing and insemination treatment for the couple's IVF cycle. Sperm with severe head abnormalities are unlikely to bind to the zona pellucida. These patients may require intracytoplasmic sperm injection in association with their IVF cycle to ensure optimal levels of fertilization are achieved. This, in turn, provides the patient with the best chance of pregnancy.
Multiple semen analyses are usually conducted over the course of the spermatogenic cycle (approximately 70 days).
Reference Values
Normal forms
≥4.5%
Germinal cells/mL
<4 x 10(6) (normal)
≥4 x 10(6) (Elevated germinal cells in semen are of unknown clinical significance)
WBC/mL
<1 x 10(6) (normal)
≥1 x 10(6) (Elevated white blood cells in semen are of questionable clinical significance)
Cautions
Conventional semen analysis (FER / Semen Analysis) should be performed in conjunction with each strict criteria sperm morphology.
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday; 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Send specimen Monday through Thursday only and not the day before a holiday.
Report Available
2 daysPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Medical Laboratories in Rochester
Test Classification
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. This test has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.CPT Code Information
89398