Introduction
AFL is Physician Office Laboratory (POL) offering on-site hormone assays and sperm tests for patients of Dr. Richard Chetkowski. The laboratory is accredited by the College of American Pathologist (CAP) and COLA; it holds certificates by the American Association of Bioanalysts (AAB) and CLIA. Dr. Chetkowski has a State of California laboratory license as well as tissue bank license. The program is also registered with the FDA.
AFL performs hormone blood tests, semen preparation for intra-uterine insemination (IUI), evaluation for male factor with semen analysis and sperm freezing.
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Hormone Assays
A hormonal imbalance, such as poly-cystic ovarian syndrome (What is PCOS?) or reduced ovarian reserve (How Do We Evaluate Ovarian Reserve?), may result in difficulty achieving and/or maintaining of pregnancy. Rapid hormonal testing for estradiol and progesterone is required for monitoring of ovarian response to FSH hormone used for in vitro fertilization (IVF Primer) and ovulation induction (FSH Ovulation Induction). Most commercial laboratories are not equipped for such short turn-around times on a daily basis. Frequent hCG and progesterone tests are used in the diagnosis and follow-up of early pregnancies (1st Trimester TLC). Alta Fertility Lab currently provides rapid testing for FSH, Estradiol, Progesterone and hCG with most results being available within 3-4 hours of collection so that a clinical decision can be made the same day.
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IUI Preps
Intra-uterine insemination is a common entry-level treatment of infertility. The purpose of semen preparation for IUI is to separate the active sperm from the seminal fluid, non-motile sperm and other cells found in the ejaculate. The removal of the seminal fluid is necessary to prevent severe intrauterine contractions which would otherwise be caused by the prostaglandins contained in the seminal plasma. The separation of motile from non-motile sperm is beneficial in cases with relatively normal sperm counts but in men with very low concentration of sperm it may be better to use a higher number of sperm including some of the non-motile sperm. In our laboratory two methods of preparing the ejaculate are used: gradient centrifugation for specimens with higher counts and simple wash in tissue culture medium for men with very low counts.
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Male Factor Evaluation with Semen Analysis
Male factors account for 35-40% of infertility (Male Factors). Male factor evaluation is comprised of a brief questionnaire and a semen analysis. Semen analysis measures 4 main parameters: volume, concentration (“count”), percent of sperm exhibiting motility and the sperm morphology. Additional parameters include progression, pH, presence of round cells and agglutination. The information collected through the questionnaire and semen analysis allows the fertility physician to assess whether or not male factor is likely to contribute to a couple’s difficulty in conceiving.
We recommend that you avoid ejaculation for 2-3 days before a semen analysis. This helps ensure that the sperm count will be at its highest and improves the reliability of the test. The collection is preferably accomplished by masturbation in a dedicated room in the office.
View: Detailed Instructions for Male Factor Evaluation
Private semen-collection room
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Sperm Freezing
Freezing of sperm is recommended whenever there is any doubt that a fresh semen specimen can be readily collected on the day of ovulation or IVF because of travel or other commitments. The frozen sperm usually represents a back-up as it is generally preferable to use fresh semen. Some men have very variable semen parameters, so freezing a “good” specimen in advance of the IUI or IVF may be preferable even though we expect about 50% reduction in the percentage of motile sperm as a result of freezing. To have sperm frozen, you will need to sign a brief consent. AFL does not provide long-term semen storage for men who are not program patients; this service is available from commercial sperm banks.
Cryo-storage tank
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Contact Info
Alta Fertility Laboratory, Inc.
2999 Regent Street #101 A
Berkeley, CA 94705
Phone: 510-649-0440
Fax: 510-649-8700
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