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HelpTest ID MSTC Strict Criteria Sperm Morphology for Infertility Diagnosis and Treatment, Semen
Ordering Guidance
Additional Testing Requirements
Conventional semen analysis, FER / Semen Analysis, Semen. should be performed in conjunction with this test.
Shipping Instructions
Semen 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.
Necessary Information
Specimen volume is required.
Specimen Required
Container/Tube: Semen Analysis Kit (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
Secondary ID
80749Useful For
Diagnosing male infertility
Selecting the most cost-effective therapy for treating male-factor infertility
Quantifying the number of germinal and white blood cells per mL of semen
Method Name
Kruger Criteria Strict Morphology
Reporting Name
Strict Criteria Sperm MorphologySpecimen Type
SemenSpecimen 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 in vitro fertilization (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.
Reference Values
Normal forms
≥4.0%
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)
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday
Report Available
2 to 4 daysPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Test Classification
This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.CPT Code Information
89398