How to complete the Test Request Form:
Select the correct test and complete all sections of the TRF. For information on the available tests, click here.
Forms can be completed electronically or handwritten (please use BLOCK CAPITALS) and sent to Examen. Each accepted TRF by Examen is considered an agreement between ExamenLab Ltd and the patient.
Patient preparation:
Abstain from ejaculation for at least 48 hours and no more than 7 days (unless your referring clinician advises a shorter period). Do not urinate just prior to producing your sample. If producing at home, please refer to the instructions in the Home Kit Information Leaflet (QF176).
Instructions for collecting your samples:
Collect your sample via manual masturbation only without using lubricant, saliva, or condoms. Ejaculate fully into the sample pot provided and report any spillage of the sample on the TRF form. If producing at home, please refer to the instructions in the Home Kit Information Leaflet (QF176) for full collection instructions.
Instructions for transportation of samples (for clinics):
Contact Examen at lab@examenlab.com to arrange a dry vapour shipper to transport your samples. Samples are held at cryogenic temperatures during transport and stored in liquid nitrogen upon arrival at Examen until analysis.
For home-produced drop-ins:
If producing your sample at home or dropping a sample off, you must deliver the sample to Examen or a hub within 50 minutes of production, keeping it as close to body temperature as possible (please refer to the instructions in the Home Kit Information Leaflet (QF176) for full transfer condition instructions).
Interfering factors:
Factors affecting sperm DNA fragmentation test performance can include:
- insufficient sample volume (at least 100μl needed)
- failure to collect the initial part of the ejaculate which may contain the highest concentration of sperm
- excessive cellular debris
- failure to freeze the sample within 60 min
In addition to the above factors, Semen Analysis test performance can be affected by:
- patient abstinence outside of WHO guidelines (48 hours to 7 days)
- if the sample is delivered for analysis more than 50 minutes after production it can impact the initial assessment and motility scoring
Laboratory sample acceptance/rejection criteria:
FOR EACH TEST REQUESTED we require a fully completed and signed TRF per test – without this the sample cannot be tested and will be rejected. A sample will be rejected if:
- the volume is too low (less than 100μl)
- it has been compromised during transport
- it was improperly collected e.g. not all the sample was collected
- it is from an unacceptable source/type
We will inform you (or your clinic if applicable), if a sample has been rejected and provide the reason for this.
Clinical result and advice interpretation:
Referred patients: Please seek clinical advice in the first instance from your referring clinician, who will have access to relevant clinical information for you and your partner, including medical history and any existing infertility diagnosis.
Self-referred patients: If you would like further support interpreting your results, Examen can connect you with a fertility clinician who can provide guidance (note: this is an independent service and consultation fees may apply). Please contact myresults@examenlab.com for more details.
Patient consent:
By submitting a specimen and TRF for testing, you agree that Examen may record and use the clinical information you provide in order to perform the test and issue your results.
Where a medical professional submits a specimen, they confirm that the patient’s consent for this data use has been obtained.
After your test is complete, any leftover sample may be used internally for quality assurance, staff training, and performance monitoring to ensure our testing remains accurate and reliable. Any such use is strictly controlled and follows appropriate governance and data protection requirements. Leftover samples used for these internal purposes are anonymised, with no identifying details recorded against them.
For clarity, “remaining” or “leftover” sample means any surplus amount of your sample that remains once all requested testing has been completed.
Separate optional consents are provided if you wish to:
- allow your left-over sample (and related test information) to be used for research and development (R&D) of new or improved tests and shared with approved research partners; and/or
- allow Examen to contact you in the future to request follow-up outcome information for ongoing clinical performance evaluation and regulatory compliance (including IVDR).
Protection of personal information:
ExamenLab Ltd records and stores certain information about you in order to provide accurate diagnostic test results. Your information will be stored securely in line with applicable data protection laws (including GDPR) and will only be accessible to authorised personnel. Wherever possible, we remove identifying details to protect your confidentiality and handle your information in a way that safeguards your identity.
For our full privacy policy, please visit: https://examenlab.com/privacy-policy/.
Your right to complain:
If you are unhappy with our service, please speak to an Examen staff member or contact us on contact@examenlab.com. We handle all complaints promptly and confidentially, both to resolve your concerns and to help improve our services.
Examen details:
ExamenLab Ltd, Unit 10G, Weavers Business Park, Belfast, BT12 5GH. Laboratory operating hours 08:00-16:00 GMT, Mon-Fri.
Examen Tests Summary
| Exact® Tests | Extend® Tests | Semen Analysis | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Special Precautions-Abstinence period | Abstain from ejaculation for at least 48 hours and no more than 7 days (unless your referring clinician advises a shorter period) | Abstain from ejaculation for 48 hours to 7 days before sample collection | |
| Turnaround Times | Approximately 10 working days from receipt of your sample at Examen’s Laboratory | ||
| Biological Reference Intervals | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | WHO 6th edition, 2021 (Lower Reference Value): Sperm concentration: ≥16M/mL, Progressive Motility: ≥30%, Morphology (Normal forms): ≥ 4%, Seminal Volume: ≥1.4, Total Sperm count: ≥39M, Total Motility: ≥42%, pH: ≥7.2 |
| Clinical Decision Values | Typical Fertile man: ≤31% Men who have experienced successful Live Birth following IVF: ≤29% Men whose partner has experienced Sporadic/Recurrent miscarriage: ≥29% | Typical Fertile man: ≤6% | Not Applicable |
| Sample acceptance criteria | We require a fully completed and signed Test Request Form per test – without this the sample cannot be tested and will be rejected. A sample will be rejected if: • the volume is too low (less than 100μl) • it has been compromised during transport • it was improperly collected e.g. not all the sample was collected • it is from an unacceptable source/type | ||