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Sample Freezing Protocol for the SpermComet® Test
Ejaculated sperm freezing protocol
1)
Before handling the dry shipper please ensure you wear correct PPE
2)
You shall receive the dry shipper which is contained in a mushroom shaped shipping
container
3)
There is no requirement for you to remove the dry shipper from its mushroom
container
4)
Please label cryovials (two per patient) with patient forename, surname, DOB and
your clinic ID
5)
All semen samples should be liquefied for at least 30 minutes (up to 60mins) after
ejaculation, which is done by leaving the sample in the sample pot at room
temperature and in the dark.
6)
For Cryovials - Add 100µl of semen sample / 200µl of testicular biopsy sample into
each of two cryovials. (For patients with oligozoospermia a volume containing a
minimum of 5000 sperm).
7)
For Freezing Straws - Add 100µl of semen sample / 200µl of testicular biopsy sample
into each of two 1.5ml eppendorfs. (For patients with oligozoospermia a volume
containing a minimum of 5000 sperm). Suck each aliquot into a freezing straw and
seal according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
8)
Once samples have been added to the shipper, please ensure that the foam cork/lid
is securely placed on the shipper for return to LFT. Failure to do so will result in
temperature failure and loss of the samples.
9)
Once samples are loaded, close mushroom container and fasten shut. Place
container at agreed pickup point and the LFT couriers will collect at the agreed time.