Post-Vasectomy Reporting
We have reviewed our procedure and reporting for post-vasectomy samples. After consulting the experts in the field and reviewing the literature we concluded the following:
- It is recommended that 100,000 or fewer non-motile sperm / ml be used as the cut-off that men can rely on for vasectomy as contraception1.
- More men achieved azoospermia or severe oligospermia (less than 100,000 sperm / ml) by 12 weeks (95%) irrespective of the number of ejaculations, than after 20 ejaculations. The risk of pregnancy with less than 100,000 non-motile sperm / ml is extremely low and by 24 weeks 99% have less than 100,000 sperm / ml2,3.
Based on the above, LifeLabs will be reporting the sperm estimate per ml. Motility will be reported as previously (motile or non-motile)4. This change will be implemented on Friday, December 16, 2011.
Dr. Suseela Reddy, Hematopathologist