Tests for Men

Half of all infertility cases can be attributed to male factor infertility. CReATe offers a wide array of diagnostic tests in order to identify the causes of infertility and guide your treatment plan.

Blood Test

Blood tests provide information about hormone levels in the body that can affect sperm production and fertility. Some examples of hormones tested include testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin, and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). In addition to hormone levels, blood tests may also be helpful in detecting genetic problems if necessary. All blood tests can be performed at CReATe’s in-house blood lab.

Standard Semen Analysis and Sperm Kinetics (CASA)

Semen analysis is usually the starting point for the evaluation of male fertility and provides a basic analysis of sperm qualities. For sperm to be able to penetrate the egg, they must be able to move in a very particular, ‘corkscrew-like’ motion, which is detected by Computer Assisted Semen Analysis (CASA). The test also assesses other sperm qualities important for fertilization such as sperm number, pH, sperm concentration, shape, etc.

This test is covered by OHIP.

For CReATe patients, semen analysis does not require an appointment and can be done anytime during our walk-in hours.

Instructions for semen analysis

Anti-Sperm Antibody (ASA) Test

In some cases, the body may produce antibodies that attack its own sperm, leading to reduced fertility. The Anti-Sperm Antibody test can identify if these antibodies are present in the semen and if they are contributing to reduced fertility.

This test is covered by OHIP.

Sperm DNA Fragmentation Index (DFI) Test

Reduced fertility can result from sperm that have a high level of fragmented or broken DNA. The DFI test, also known as a TUNEL assay, analyzes the quality of sperm DNA, specifically looking for these kinds of structural issues. The DFI test is the most objective test of sperm integrity and is therefore considered the gold standard for male fertility assessment

The DFI Test is not OHIP covered.

Fluorescent In-Situ Hybridization (FISH)

Healthy sperm should have 23 chromosomes. Having a high number of sperm with unbalanced chromosomes (where one or more chromosome is missing or an extra chromosome is present), can increase the chances of infertility and may be associated with miscarriages, birth defects, or genetic disorders in children. Fluorescent In-Situ Hybridization (FISH) assesses the number of chromosomes that are present in sperm, in order to minimize the risk of these future complications.

This test is not covered by OHIP

Other Sperm Retrieval Services

CReATe offers services such as electro-ejaculation and testicular and epididymal sperm aspiration and extraction for circumstances in which additional assistance may be required for sperm retrieval. These services are provided in collaboration with Dr. Keith Jarvi, a top urologist at the Murray Koffler Urological Wellness Centre at Mount Sinai Hospital.