Specimen Requirements

Semen specimen should be collected following a 3-5 day period of sexual abstinence. The specimen should be collected by masturbation in a sterile wide-mouth glass or plastic container. When collection by masturbation is impossible, special condoms are available (not ordinary latex condoms). Specimens must be transported to the lab for analysis within one hour of collection. During transport, the specimen should not be subjected to temperature extremes. It is recommended to keep the specimen warm during transport by placing in a pocket near the body.