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Thank you for making me and my wife feel comfortable on our first visit. We really appreciate the amount of time and personal care you took to invite us to be a part of your family. As you know, families coping with infertility face challenging issues from the onset, we felt your compassion and sense of understanding. Whether we are blessed enough to bring a child into this world or not, we will always remember the day you gave us hope.
~Fertility C.A.R.E patients
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Using advanced technology and a full complement of state-of-the-art services, the Fertility C.A.R.E. Andrology Laboratory provides accurate diagnosis for treatment of male reproductive disorders in a timely and caring manner.
A certified High Complexity Laboratory director leads the andrology team, and a licensed medical technologist performs all testing and procedures. The Andrology Laboratory is licensed as a clinical laboratory facility by the state of Florida. For our patient's comfort, a private specimen collection area is available at Fertility C.A.R.E.
The following tests and services for men are available at Fertility C.A.R.E.:
Semen Analysis
Semen analysis refers to looking at semen under a microscope to identify any signs of abnormality. Your doctor is especially interested in determining sperm count, motility (speed) and shape. This analysis is an essential part of any fertility work-up since problems with male sperm account for 40% of all infertility experienced by couples.
The semen analysis is performed in the doctor's office. You must refrain from ejaculation for 48-96 hours prior to giving a specimen for evaluation. Your sample is usually collected by masturbating and ejaculating into a sterile specimen cup. The container is provided at the time the appointment is made. Your specimen may also be collected at home and brought to the office within one hour of collection.
Analysis of your sperm includes the following:
- Volume (amount of semen)
- pH
- Sperm Count and Motility (speed)
- Strict Kruger Morphology (shape)
- Viability Staining*
- Antibody testing*
* Performed based on diagnosis
Semen Preparation for Intrauterine Insemination
Sperm must be washed before it is placed into the uterus. Sperm washing for intrauterine insemination is routinely performed at Fertility C.A.R.E. A sperm sample may be used from either the male partner or from a commercial sperm bank. (Both kinds of samples are processed in our laboratory.)
Anti-Sperm Antibody Testing
Sperm MAR (Mixed Agglutination Reaction) determines the presence or absence of antibodies in the sperm sample itself.
Fructose screening evaluates the level of sugars in the semen of the male partner. This test is most often used for men with suspected retrograde ejaculation. Retrograde ejaculation refers to the entry of semen into the bladder instead of going out through the urethra during ejaculation.
Pre-Testing for In Vitro Fertilization
A preliminary test of the sperm sample determines how a patient's sperm will react to normal processing for assisted reproductive procedures.
Sperm Cryopreservation
While Fertility C.A.R.E. does not operate a commercial sperm bank, routine freezing of sperm samples may be performed for our patients for scheduling reasons during a treatment cycle or to attempt paternity at a later time. Pre-vasectomy patients, or some oncology patients may elect to cryopreserve (freeze) their sperm for later use.
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