Your Post Vasectomy
Semen Analysis
What we test your sample for
&
your results explained!
This leaflet is aimed at giving you some
information on the following test:
Post Vasectomy Test (PVT)
**Note: All results are to be
obtained from your
requesting Clinician/GP.
The laboratory cannot give results
directly to patients!**
Eastern Pathology Alliance
Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital
Queen Elizabeth Hospital Kings Lynn
James Paget University Hospital
⑤ What if you need to repeat the test?
...continued
Results showing any mole spermatozoa the
laboratory will suggest that you are referred
back to the clinician that has performed your
vasectomy procedure for further advice.
These results DO NOT meet the requirements
for any level of clearance.
Please ensure you connue to use contracepon
unl clearance has been granted by your Clinician/
GP.
For any queries regarding any of the content within this
leaet please contact the Department of Andrology at the
Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital:
01603 646524 between 09:00am-16:00pm
Eastern Pathology Alliance Your Basic Semen Analysis EPA-ANDR-004
Revision 1 Issue Date: 09/12/19
Author: J. Kenne
& K. Burton
③ Your PVSA results explained
No sperm seen = no sperm are seen in the
sample.
<0.1 x10^6/ml Immole spermatozoa =
non -mole sperm seen in very small numbers.
>0.1 x10^6/ml Immole spermatozoa =
non - mole sperm seen in large numbers.
Mole spermatozoa seen = swimming/moving
sperm cells observed.
x10^6 = millions per millilitre which is our laboratory unit
of measurement. 0.1 x10^6/ml is the same as 100,000
cells per ml).
No sperm seen is the ideal result aer having a
vasectomy procedure; however it is not uncommon
to see small numbers of immole sperm in samples
months aerwards. In order to ensure to the best of
our ability that these cells are non-mole (not
moving) and therefore not capable of producing a
pregnancy, we strictly need to test an enre
ejaculate within 60 minutes of producon.
If your results show any number of mole sperm,
then the results DO NOT meet the requirements for
any level of clearance and the laboratory will
suggest you are referred back to the clinician who
has performed the vasectomy for further advice.
④ Clearance Criteria
The criteria for post vasectomy clearance are set by
the Association of Biomedical Andrologists, the
British Andrology Society and the British Association
of Urological Surgeons 2016 Guidelines.
Note: Clearance that your vasectomy procedure has
worked effectively can ONLY be granted by your
Clinician or GP.
The laboratory report will say whether or not your
results meet the criteria for the two different
types of clearance:
1. CLEARANCE = No sperm seen & sample
tested within 4 hours of producon.
Only one sample needs to be tested.
1. SPECIAL CLEARANCE = x2 samples that show
<0.1 Immole spermatozoa and both samples
are tested within 60 minutes of producon.
⑤ What if you need to repeat the test?
Repeat analyses will be required depending upon
the ndings of the rst sample analysed. It is
Important that you contact your GP/Clinician to
obtain your results, in order to determine if you
are required to repeat the test.
Results showing <0.1 Immole spermatozoa
that are tested within 60 minutes of
producon will require x1 repeat analysis that
is also tested within 60 minutes and shows
<0.1 Immole spermatozoa in order to meet
the requirements for Special Clearance.
Results showing <0.1 Immole spermatozoa
that are NOT tested within 60 minutes of
producon will require further repeat analyses
unl you obtain x2 results that are tested
within 60 minutes and therefore meet the
criteria above for Special Clearance.
Results showing >0.1 Immole spermatozoa
will require further repeat analyses unl you
obtain x2 results that meet the criteria above
for Special Clearance showing small numbers
of immole cells present.
...continued overleaf
① When will this take place?
A Post Vasectomy Semen Analysis test is required
to take place no sooner than 12 weeks aer your
vasectomy operaon and is requested by your
doctor to establish whether your vasectomy
procedure has been successful. This test is the
only method of doing so accurately.
The criteria we ask you to follow remains the
same as for all semen analyses; arriving at your
appointment within 60 minutes of producon,
keeping the sample warm at body temperature
during delivery to the laboratory and compliance
with the 48 hour absnence period.
It is important that you have ejaculated at least
20 mes since the vasectomy procedure prior to
the rst semen analysis.
It is also essenal that ALL the sample is
collected and no part is lost as we will be unable
to test your sample as the results will not be
accurate. If any part of your sample is missing it is
essenal that you inform us. Please inform the
laboratory if this informaon has not been
accurately recorded on your pre-analysis
quesonnaire.
② What do we test your sample for?
We microscopically assess your sample to see If
any sperm cells are present or not. If any sperm
cells are present we perform a thorough
assessment to see if any of those cells are mole
(show movement) or not.
We also perform an assessment of semen volume,
appearance, liquefaction and viscosity.
