Semen Collection Instructions

Specimens for fertility and post-vasectomy examination are done Tuesday through Friday. Prescheduled appointments by physicians or patients (through physician’s referral) are required.  Appointments should be made by directly calling the Microbiology Laboratory at Rochester General Hospital at (585) 922-4555.

Specimens should be collected at home and then be submitted within one hour to the Laboratory between the hours of 8:00 am - 10:00 am.  Although our laboratory is not optimally set up as a patient care area for sample collection, alternate arrangements may be made by utilizing the public restrooms of the laboratory.

Following sample collection, patients are asked to bring the sample directly to the RGH Outpatient Testing Area located off the lobby on the main floor of the hospital.  Go directly to the admitting desk; do not take a number, and do not sit in the waiting area.  The staff member at the desk will then contact Microbiology.  Please bring the enclosed slip as a reminder.  A technician will meet you in the Outpatient Testing Area to complete your paperwork and receive your sample.

Patient Instructions

1. Refrain from any sexual activity including masturbation for 3 days prior to the appointment date.
    
2. The semen specimen should be collected by masturbation and ejaculated in to a clean dry container.  The entire sample must be collected.  Incomplete samples will not be analyzed, particularly if the first portion of the ejaculate is lost.  The sample may be collected at home and brought directly to the Laboratory within 1 hour of collection.
    
3. Coitus interruptus is not acceptable as a means of collection because it is possible that the first portion of the ejaculate, which usually contains the highest concentration of spermatozoa will be lost.
    
4. Lubricants, condoms, or condoms with spermicides or powders should not be used for semen collection because they will interfere and alter the results of the analysis.
    
5. After collection the specimen should be kept as close to body temperature as possible (e.g. in an inside pocket).  Do not expose the sample to extreme temperatures.
    
6. Please complete the enclosed form completely and return it along with the sample and physicians laboratory request form to the Outpatient Testing Area.  Semen Collection and Semen Pathology Form

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