Lab Collection / Direction and Results
Laboratory Directions for Semen Collection
By adhering to the simple procedures outlined below, laboratories may quickly and easily prepare semen for SCSA® analysis. Human semen samples may be prepared for SCSA® testing prior to sperm concentration determination and without cryoprotectants. However, semen previously frozen with cryoprotectant may be tested.
A physician must provide written consent for the SCSA® test. SCSA® Diagnostics, Inc. will accept a standard requisition form from the attending physician or the Sperm Chromatin Structure Assay (SCSA®) Requisition Form provided on our web site. The requisition may be returned in the shipment with the semen sample or directly faxed to SCSA® Diagnostics, Inc. (605-692-9730). Alternatively, a physician can authorize the SCSA test on a routine prescription form that is faxed (605-692-9730) or included in the return shipper. The authorization may be sent after the sample has been received and analyzed; however, the clinical report can not be released until after SCSA Diagnostics has received the physician's requisition.
I. COLLECTING AND HANDLING HUMAN SAMPLES
A. Using standard laboratory procedures and practices and in compliance with the rules and regulations of the Institution's Review Board, human semen samples are typically obtained by masturbation into plastic clinical specimen jars after 2 to 3 days abstinence. We have not found differences in the SCSA® data by a lesser time of abstinence; our main concern is too many days of abstinence. If weeks or months have passed since the last ejaculation it is recommended that the man have two ejaculations prior to submitting a semen sample for SCSA analysis. For example, ejaculate - wait 2-3 days - ejaculate again -wait 2-3 more days - ejaculate the final time for SCSA analysis.
B. Maintain semen samples for 30 to 45 minutes in darkness at room temperature (e.g. drawer or closet) until liquefaction (semen becomes liquid-like).
II. FREEZING SAMPLES
A. Freeze 0.25 mL or more of the liquified, raw semen in 1 to 2 mL cryovials. Samples should be frozen as soon as possible after liquefaction to minimize exposure to air, which may cause reactive oxygen species-induced damage.
B. Cryovials should be capped tightly, labeled with two identifiers (e.g., name and birth date), and in an upright position, placed directly into the LN2 tank.
Note: Cryoprotectants are not needed since quick-frozen sperm give the clearest SCSA® data. This feature is unique to mammalian sperm cells due to the highly condensed, crystalline nature of the nuclei.
Note: If the sperm concentration is adequate, less than 0.5 mL (two 0.25 mL aliquots) of semen may be sufficient for the SCSA® test. To perform the test, we require two 0.20 mL aliquots with a concentration of >0.5 million/ml. Please contact our laboratory if you have questions pertaining to the volume necessary for a sample of a certain concentration.
III. SHIPPING SAMPLES
A. Liquid Nitrogen (LN2) Dry Shippers MUST be properly cooled and handled before shipment. Please follow instructions supplied by the manufacturer.
If a clinic uses their own liquid nitrogen dry shipper, the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration Security and Hazardous Materials Division regulations require that all liquid nitrogen is poured out prior to shipping.* Samples may also be shipped with dry ice (please call for instructions).
B. SCSA® Diagnostics, Inc. will ship a pre-cooled LN2 tank if the laboratory does not have one available. The cooled temperature in the tank will hold for ~ 10 days, so it is important to return the tank as soon as possible with the supplied shipping label.
Note: LN2 is adsorbed by special materials inside the shipper. Thus, even if these tanks are tipped upside down during transport, no LN2 will escape. These containers are considered NON-HAZARDOUS and are accepted by overnight courier services (e.g., Federal Express).
Note: 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 (preferably by Federal Express) to:
SCSA® Diagnostics, Inc.
807 32nd Ave.
Brookings, SD 57006
Phone: 605-692-5938
scsa@brookings.net