Andrology Services at University Hospitals Birmingham

Update 17.11.2022:  Andrology Laboratory Service at UHB

We are pleased to announce that from the 30^th May 2022, the Andrology Department at Good Hope Hospital begun working in accordance with the World Health Organisation (WHO) 6^th Edition for the examination of semen (diagnostic semen analysis). This included a change to some of the lower reference limits (volume, concentration, motility and vitality), differentiation of round cells and amendments to result interpretation where appropriate.  This examination procedure has not been accredited to the ISO standard (15189:2012), although this is being worked towards at present.  To assure users of the quality of results, we would like to state that the following safeguards are in place;

• Internal Quality Control (IQC) of volume, pH, motility, concentration, morphology (including TZI) and vitality 
• External Quality Assurance (EQA) participation for motility, concentration and morphology
• Interlaboratory Comparison scheme  (ILC) participation for vitality and PVSA
• Participation in the Cellular Pathology audit schedule and Quality Management System (QMS) under Cellular Pathology 
• Ongoing training and competence of staff undertaking Andrology activities
• Follow Pathology/Cellular Pathology procedures and policies for management of materials, reagents, consumables and equipment

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns on 0121 424 9717 or Emma Whitehouse on 0121 424 9717 (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).  The Quality Leads can also be contacted on the Emails below:

• This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

The User Handbook can be accessed here (update sin progress):  Andrology User Handbook

The Andrology Laboratory at University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB) is a partially UKAS Accredited Service (ISO15189:2012), currently operating from a single site located on the 1st Floor of the Sheldon Unit at Good Hope Hospital.

The laboratory's priority is to provide a comprehensive semen analysis service for Consultants, Urologists and General Practitioners from the Birmingham and Solihull area. This includes semen analysis  (Diagnostic Semen Analysis), post-operative analysis of semen following a vasectomy operation (Post Vasectomy Semen Analysis) and retrograde analysis of urine.

The laboratory operates on a clinic based service and has a maximum capacity of 2500 appointments available per annum.  This covers the annual workload of routine diagnostic semen analysis, post-vasectomy samples and retrograde ejaculation analysis. Routinely patients will be given an appointment to attend the Andrology Department for on-site sample production in a designated private clinic room, however in exceptional circumstances samples may be produced off site if then able to be delivered to the laboratory within an appropriate time interval. 

The UHB Andrology Laboratory has fully trained scientists who are highly proficient in performing quality diagnostic semen analysis in line with World Health Organisation (2021) and the 2016 Laboratory Guidelines for post vasectomy semen analysis. The laboratory regularly performs internal quality control, participates in the UK National External Quality Assurance scheme for Andrology (UKNEQAS) and liaises with other accredited laboratories for comparison of tests not covered within the UKNEQAS scope.

A laboratory referral can be made via:

• Paper copy referral forms sent to Appointment Centre via post/e-mail (internal consultants/health care professionals)
• Electronic Referral Service (e-RS) with an attached referral form

 A copy of the referral form can be obtained by;

Contacting the laboratory directly on 0121 424 9717

Or by downloading from here Andrology Referral Form

Or by GP’s accessing the word version at: https://hgs.uhb.nhs.uk/gps/

Off-site production can be arranged by the patient by telephoning the laboratory on 0121 424 9717 or by e-mailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (if you e-mail you are accepting that the connection is not secure and potentially not confidential – laboratory staff will minimise data transmission but cannot guarantee security).  Please note that retrograde urine production cannot be undertaken off-site.  This must be on-site at Good Hope Hospital.

Turnaround Time: 7-10 days (electronic reporting may be more rapid). Paper copies currently sent. This is due to validation of reports by a second scientist.

Anti-sperm antibodies (ASAB) are not tested at this laboratory. Agglutination is described if noted.

Please see user handbook for additional information including contact details.

Accreditation information can be found at:

https://search.ukas.com/#/tabbed/search?q=andrology

Post-vasectomy Semen Analysis (PVSA)

The laboratory undertakes examination procedures in line with the following guidelines:  2016 PVSA Guidelines.  This will give clinicians information regarding clearance criteria. 

Results are avialble to Hospital clinicians via the two portals:

• PICS/Clinical Portal - QEHB
• Concerto/ICE/Clinical Portal - HGS

GP's can access patient results through their own electronic result systems, although paper copy reports are sent out following result authorisation.

Key details of the service:

• Operates Monday to Friday 08:00am to 16:00pm
• Undertakes diagnostic semen analysis, post vasectomy analysis and retrograde examination (urine)
• Appointment based with on-site room for sample production
• 7-10 day turnaround time (electronic and paper copy reporting)
• Patients are booked within 7 weeks from referral, unless clinically indicated or by patient choice

Andrology Changes to Service or Notifications

World Health Organisation (WHO) Examination and Processing of Human Semen 2021 Guidelines

The WHO released the sixth edition of semen analysis guidelines in July 2021.  The Laboratory will be implemented these changes on 30.05.2022.  This includes a new set of lower reference limits and enhancements to user advice and guidance.   There will be CCG notification when this goes live.  If you require any further information please contact Emma Whitehouse  (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).  

Updated 10.05.2022

Changes to Post-vasectomy semen analysis from 1st September 2019

Queen Elizabeth Hospital will no longer analyse semen samples for vasectomy success confirmation from the 1st September 2019.  A referral form must be completed and sent to the appointment centre for the patient to be given an appointment to attend at Good Hope Hospital.  All samples received into Pathology at Queen Elizabeth following this date will be rejected.  Please contact the laboratory if you require any further information. 

Retrograde Examination Procedure

Retrograde analysis is available at Good Hope Hospital.  This will assess numbers of sperm and motility (if present).  Morphology is not assessed as part of this examination.  The test was assessed by UKAS for accreditation to ISO15189:2012 on 21/01/2020 and is now included as an accredited test. 

If you require any further information, please contact Emma Whitehouse - Andrology Lead Scientist on 0121 424 9717 or Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.