Guide for Requesting Exams
Androscience Laboratory's expertise in science and innovation in Andrology, over the past 21 years, has allowed for the improvement, implementation and creation of new tests that began with the interpretation of clinical and laboratory findings of thousands of patients treated and the need for offer laboratory tests of semen for complex situations. The Androscience Laboratory tirelessly and constantly seeks perfection. As the vast majority of these tests are still unknown to the Brazilian public and even to physicians, we have prepared scripts for exams and procedures for several clinical conditions and the most common and frequent diagnoses that patients and health professionals in the area encounter on a daily basis. These scripts act as true guidance guides and are based on evidence and scientific research from our research group, as well as international reference groups in Andrology and Male Infertility worldwide.
These scripts can be requested by doctors according to the clinical profile of each patient and couple.
Below, we present two situations in which scripts can be requested.
Initial evaluation of the man (characteristics of the semen/ejaculate)
Standard rating:
Two complete seminal analyses, with an interval of 10 to 15 days between collections, and evaluation of spermatic vitality if progressive motility is below 40%.
Recommended rating:
Two complete seminal analyses, with an interval of 10 to 15 days between collections, and evaluation of spermatic vitality if progressive motility is below 40%;
Dosage of oxygen free radicals (ROS®);
Membrane Lipid Peroxidation (LPO®);
Sperm DNA Fragmentation Test (SCSA®).
When to order?
The basis of this guide is to assess the function of the testes in producing sperm. Therefore, the physician must request it to:
Men who want or plan pregnancy;
Men who will or have already started treatments with antineoplastics and/or immunosuppressants;
Men with hormonal changes in any sphere;
Adolescents in pubescent stage.
clinical answers
The results obtained from this series of tests reveal important data for understanding the way in which the reproductive system of a given individual behaves.
The information from the seminal analysis is relevant, but it is limited to the number and morphology of sperm. The specific tests, on the other hand, allow a more detailed assessment of the physiology of sperm and their interactions not observed in the seminal analysis and can predict the degree of oxidative stress in the sample and accurately predict:
Probability of the man getting his partner pregnant;
Reproductive system response before, during and after antineoplastic and/or immunosuppressive therapies;
Adolescent's physiological response to puberty;
Complement to the clinical diagnosis of hormonal diseases that lead to reproductive alterations.
about tests
The tests performed in this protocol were described on our website (sperm function test).
Who is this script intended for?
This script can be requested by doctors:
Gynecologists;
Andrologists;
Oncologists;
Hebiatricians;
Endocrinologists.
Assessment of multiple failures by Assisted Reproduction techniques
What does it include?
Standard rating:
Two complete seminal analyses, with an interval of 10 to 15 days between collections, and evaluation of spermatic vitality if progressive motility is below 40%;
Dosage of oxygen free radicals (ROS®);
Membrane Lipid Peroxidation (LPO®);
Sperm DNA Fragmentation Test (SCSA®).
Recommended rating:
Two complete seminal analyses, with an interval of 10 to 15 days between collections, and evaluation of spermatic vitality if progressive motility is below 40%;
Dosage of oxygen free radicals (ROS®);
Membrane Lipid Peroxidation (LPO®);
Hyaluronan binding assay (HBA®);
Sperm training®;
Acrosome reaction (AR®).
When to order?
The treatment of male infertility based on correct diagnosis represents the best cost-benefit ratio for the couple undergoing the process of Assisted Reproduction, in addition to contributing to a lower risk of in vitro fertilization (IVF) failure, associated or not with Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI ). Thus, this script is intended for men:
Who did not establish pregnancy through the natural environment after one year of attempts without the use of contraceptives and/or through Assisted Reproduction techniques;
With genetic alterations, as long as there is sperm production, even in small quantities. Ex: Klinefelter Syndrome, Y chromosome microdeletions, mutations in the CFTR gene (cystic fibrosis), hemochromatosis, among others;
With hormonal alterations of any sphere (hypothyroidism, hypogonadism, pan-hypopituitarism, diabetes, among others).
Clinical answers:
The results obtained from these tests will guide the physician in choosing the most appropriate technique for Assisted Reproduction, avoiding unsuccessful attempts or clinical treatment for natural pregnancy attempts, enabling:
List measures to obtain the oxidant and antioxidant balance of semen and spermatozoa;
Investigate the presence of pre-existing diseases that can lead to changes in the physiological structure of sperm.
about tests
This script has additional tests to those mentioned in the script above, which assess the male factor or contribution to fertilization and the establishment of pregnancy:
Acrosome reaction test: allows to assess the rate of spermatozoa with intact acrosome. The achromosa is made up of hydrolytic enzymes that digest the zona pellucida and the cumulus oophurus of the oocyte and must be released only at the time of fertilization;
Sperm-oocyte interaction test: able to estimate the index of immature sperm unable to bind to the female gamete. It is based on the presence of the sperm hyaluronic acid receptor;
In vitro simulation of sperm capacitation: sperm capacitation is a physiological event that occurs to sperm that swim towards the fallopian tubes together with other substances. This process is necessary for fertilization to take place and can be simulated in the laboratory.
Who is this script intended for?
This can be requested by doctors:
Gynecologists;
Andrologists;
Geneticists;
Endocrinologists.
other scripts
We have other exclusive scripts for requesting exams for partner physicians for diagnoses and procedures that contribute to the investigation and identification of other common morbidities in men's reproductive and sexual health.
Varicocele evaluation;
Investigation and confirmation of azoospermia;
Confirmation of azoospermia after vasectomy;
Cryopreservation to preserve fertility;
Evaluation after miscarriage due to natural pregnancy.
For complete information about exam scripts and procedures, fill out the form below or become an Androscience partner. We are available to discuss and guide methodological, technical and scientific questions.
