The Andrology Laboratory at Good Hope Hospital provides specialist tests to assess male fertility and confirm the success of vasectomy procedures. Working with fertility clinics, consultants, urologists and GPs across Birmingham and Solihull, the service provides accurate and timely results to support diagnosis, treatment planning and patient care.
Our services
We provide:
- diagnostic semen analysis to support fertility investigations
- post-vasectomy semen analysis (PVSA)
- retrograde ejaculation testing using urine samples
Appointments
The service offers up to 2,000 appointments each year.
Patients are usually asked to provide a sample in a private clinic room at Good Hope Hospital. Samples may be produced elsewhere if they can be delivered to the laboratory within the recommended timeframe.
Retrograde urine samples must be produced at Good Hope Hospital.
Quality assurance and accreditation
Our scientists are trained and experienced in diagnostic semen analysis. Testing is carried out in line with recognised professional guidelines and international standards.
The laboratory performs regular quality checks and participates in external quality assessment programmes to help ensure accurate and reliable results.
Referrals and results
Referrals can be made through:
- paper referral forms submitted by post or email
- the Electronic Referral Service (e-RS) with an attached referral form
Referral forms are available by contacting the laboratory or through UHB Andrology Referrals.
Appointments are usually offered within seven weeks of referral.
Results are normally available within 7–10 days through PICS, Clinical Portal, ICE or GP electronic systems.
Information for healthcare professionals
The following information is intended for healthcare professionals and laboratory users.
Measurement uncertainty
Measurement uncertainty is the range within which the true value of a test result is expected to lie. It is a recognised part of all laboratory testing and is monitored as part of the laboratory's quality management system.
Following a UKAS assessment, the Andrology Laboratory reviewed the clinical impact of measurement uncertainty on diagnostic semen analysis results and clinical decision limits.
Diagnostic semen analysis
The laboratory has calculated the coefficient of variation (CV) for each diagnostic semen analysis parameter and uses this as the measurement uncertainty associated with that parameter.
| Parameter | Coefficient of variation (%) |
|---|---|
| Motility | 7.32 |
| Concentration | 8.89 |
| Morphology | 17.02 |
| Vitality | 2.31 |
Clinical interpretation
When results are close to clinical decision limits, measurement uncertainty should be considered during interpretation.
Examples include:
- Motility: a reported result of 30% gives a range of 27.8%–32.2%
- Concentration: a reported result of 16 × 10⁶/ml gives a range of 14.6–17.4 × 10⁶/ml
- Morphology: a reported result of 4% gives a range of 3.3%–4.7%
- Vitality: a reported result of 54% gives a range of 52.8%–55.2%
Clinical impact
Measurement uncertainty affecting one or more reported parameters may influence clinical decision-making for patients whose results are close to established decision limits.
For example, a concentration reported as 15 × 10⁶/ml may, when measurement uncertainty is considered, fall above or below the recognised decision threshold. This may influence subsequent investigation or treatment options.
All semen analysis parameters should be considered alongside the patient's clinical history, examination findings and other investigations. Results should not be interpreted in isolation.
World Health Organization guidance
The decision limits reported by the laboratory are based on the World Health Organization (WHO) Laboratory Manual for Human Semen Examination and Processing (2021).
These values are derived from a reference population of men whose partners achieved pregnancy within 12 months. They do not represent definitive boundaries between fertile and subfertile men.
WHO guidance highlights that semen analysis alone cannot predict the likelihood of spontaneous or assisted conception. Fertility outcomes are influenced by both male and female factors and should be assessed holistically.
Contact us
For further information please contact us
Laboratory general enquiries
Appointment queries
Quality assurance and accreditation
The Cellular Pathology laboratories at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital and Solihull Hospital are part of University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB). The laboratories are accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) to the ISO 15189:2022 standard.
Accreditation information is available under Cellular Pathology (UKAS Reference 10141).
Tests that do not appear on the UKAS Schedule of Accreditation are not UKAS accredited. These tests are validated in line with laboratory procedures and are carried out by trained and competent staff.
For a list of accredited tests and further information, visit the UKAS website:
Human Tissue Authority approval
The Cellular Pathology laboratory is approved and registered by the Human Tissue Authority (HTA).
Data protection
Cellular Pathology services comply with the Trust's Data Protection Policy. Procedures are in place to ensure the service and its staff meet data protection requirements and follow recognised best practice.
Contact us
For further information about quality assurance and accreditation, contact:
Louise Fallon
Quality Manager
Email: louise.fallon@uhb.nhs.uk
Training and Development
For information on careers, training and education in Pathology, please see our Training and Development webpage.
Last reviewed: 10 July 2026