Home Collection for the SCSA

Instructions

Patient Directions for Home Semen Collection and Shipping

You will receive in the shipment:

Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay (SCSA®) Requisition Form. Your physician must provide a signature requesting SCSA® analysis. SCSA® Diagnostics, Inc. will accept a standard requisition form from the attending physician or the SCSA® requisition form provided with this kit and on our web site. The requisition may be returned in this shipment, or you may have your physician directly fax a requisition to SCSA® Diagnostics, Inc. (605-692-9730). No samples can be analyzed without written physician consent.
Pre-cooled dry shipper in its own plastic "mushroom" carrier (or cardboard box for discretionary issues). Please see photo below. As the name "dry shipper" implies, the coolant is contained within an adsorbent so that no liquid can spill out of the tank - an airline regulation. The temperature inside the tank is very cold, and when semen samples are placed inside the metal tank, they will remain frozen until they arrive at our laboratory.

Shipping Container and Tank

Shipping Container

Collection supplies provided in a gallon-size ziplock bag are shipped inside the mushroom (see photo above) and can be opened by using a scissors to cut the plastic cable tie on the lock holding the lid in place. Turn the keys and open the top (hinged on one side). The bag contains the following items (see photo below):
- Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay (SCSA®) Requisition Form indicated above
- Return Federal Express paperwork
- 1 large-mouth plastic jar (for collecting the semen)
- 1 metal cane with 3 cryovials attached (your name is written on them)
- 2 plastic bulb pipettes
- 3 cable ties

Kit Contents

Instructions for sample collection and storage:

Please use only the supplies provided by SCSA Diagnostics for the test. If any parts of the test supplies are missing or broken please notify us immediately and we will ship a new test kit out to you.

You must have two ejaculations prior to submitting a semen sample for SCSA analysis. For example, ejaculate - abstain 2 days - ejaculate again - abstain 2 more days - ejaculate the final time for SCSA analysis. When ready to ejaculate for the final sample, remove the lid and masturbate into the jar. If a lubricant is preferred, please use the PRE~SEED (www.ingfertility.com) sample included in the Home Collection Kit.
Wait about 1 hour for the semen to liquefy (to become more fluid-like or less viscous). Keep vial at room temperature in a darkened container.
Remove the small plastic vials from the metal cane and then remove the tops from the small plastic vials.
Place the bulb end of a plastic pipette between your thumb and finger, squeeze out some air and then place the tip of the pipette into the semen in the plastic jar. By reducing the pressure of your fingers on the bulb, the semen will be drawn up into the pipette.
Place the tip of the pipette into one of the small plastic vials; gently squeeze the bulb of the pipette, and the semen will flow into the vial.
Transfer semen APPROXIMATELY to the marker line drawn on the outside of the vial. It is not critical if a little more or less is transferred. Close the vial.
If more semen is available, repeat the procedure for the two additional vials. Only a small amount is needed for this test, but we prefer to obtain additional semen if repeat analysis is necessary.
Snap all filled vials back onto the metal cane with the vials upright.
For our convenience, please fill out the Data Requisition Form.
Cut the plastic cable tie on the center cap of the tank.
Pull up to remove the cap.
Drop the metal cane holding the semen vials into the center of the tank.
Replace the cap into the top of the pre-cooled tank and use a plastic cable tie between the holes to secure it (the same place you cut the tie off when you opened the package).
Place all required paperwork in the mushroom along side the tank.
Close the cover of the mushroom. Secure the butterfly lock with the cable tie (also the same place you cut the tie off when you opened the package).
Use the third, larger cable tie to secure the enclosed Federal Express Label to the handle of the mushroom.
You may take the package to Federal Express or call 1-800-GO-FEDEX and have them pick it up at your home. Verify that the shipment is 2-DAY and what day they will pick it up. PLEASE DO NOT SHIP ON A SATURDAY. If you chose to drop it off, please ship from an actual FedEx location, not a FedEx Kinkos.
If a Federal Express agent asks what the package contains, it is simply a frozen biological sample being sent in a pre-cooled dry shipper. The point about the pre-cooled dry shipper is important, as no liquid can leak out. If you have any problems shipping the package, call our lab immediately (866-219-1338).
SCSA® Diagnostics, Inc. will measure the sample and the results will be sent to your physician within a week of us receiving the sample.
Tank has a limited shelf life so you must call FedEx for a return pick-up or drop off at a FedEx location (not a Kinkos) within 7 days from the date received, to guarantee the sample remains frozen.

NOTE: We reserve the right to choose the most appropriate carrier. If shipping from outside the United States, special forms need to be filled out in order to properly and quickly clear US Customs. When done correctly, we have not experienced delays.

SHIP by Federal Express to:

SCSA® Diagnostics, Inc.
807 32nd Ave.
Brookings, SD 57006
Phone: 605-692-5938
scsa@brookings.net

Requisition Form