• The sample should preferably be collected after 3-4 days of abstinence. This is to provide optimal results and to ensure consistency should follow-up samples be required. (Not less than 2 days, and not longer than 7 days)
• Please phone your local Flowpath depot to make an appointment.
• The sample should be collected at the laboratory. If not, it should be delivered within 30 minutes of collection.

• The sample should be kept at body temperature which can be achieved by placing the sample under your clothing next to your skin.
• The entire sample should be obtained by masturbation into a sterile wide mouthed or plastic container with a screw-on lid obtained from the laboratory or doctor. Do not use any jar or container of your own.
• Condoms and containers with rubber stoppers must never be used as these interfere with spermatozoa viability. No lubricants to be used (e.g. Vaseline, KY jelly etc.).

• Before collection, pass urine, wash hands with soap and water and rinse thoroughly. A single sample may be inadequate due to a marked variation in sperm production from day to day; therefore an abnormal result may require a repeat specimen which may be requested by your doctor.
• It is very important to inform the laboratory if any part of the semen was lost during collection as this may influence results: Best practice is to discard this sample and produce a new sample after another 3-4 days.
• Kindly inform the laboratory if you are on any medication or if you have had a raised temperature / fever or a inflammatory disease during the past 3 months.

Female

• Thoroughly clean the urethral area with tap water and cotton wool.
• Wipe the vulva from front to back.
• Void without re-contaminating the urethral opening.
• Initial urine to be passed into toilet, the patient must interrupt the flow of urine.
• Then collect the midstream portion in a sterile container.
• Empty bladder into the toilet

Male

• Clean the urethral opening with tap water and cotton wool.
• Void without re-contaminating the urethral opening.
• Initial urine to be passed into toilet the patient must interrupt the flow of urine.
• Then collect the midstream portion in a sterile container.
• Empty bladder into the toilet

   Infant urine collection

• Wash / disinfect hands and put on gloves
• Clean the area around the urethral opening with tap water. Dry the surrounding area and perineum with clean cotton wool swab.
• Expose the adhesive surface of the paediatric bag, by removing the paper packaging
•  For males, the penis should be projected through the opening in the urine bag.
•  For females, the opening of the urine bag is to be placed so as to cover the upper half of the genital area.
• Clean scissors with an alcohol swab (before and after cutting urine bag), allow to air dry before cutting the bag.
• When urine is obtained, remove the bag, cut off the corner of the bag and pour urine into a sterile urine container. Do not pour urine through the opening of the bag.
• Hold the specimen bottle on the outside without touching the rim.