Diagnostics · Male fertility
Sperm DNA Fragmentation Testing
Measures damage to the DNA inside sperm, which a standard semen analysis can't see. We've used Examen's tests since 2019. They're the most accurate available commercially, and they're used by over 80% of the top fertility clinics in the UK and Ireland.
At a glance
Situationalfrom £545
- Sample
- Semen sample
- Where
- Produced at home, dropped off in Bristol or Bournemouth
- Results
- 14 days
- Relevant to
- Male fertility, Unexplained infertility, IVF/ICSI, Recurrent miscarriage
Not sure yet? Check with Verity First
Is this test right for me?
It's worth considering if you've had any of the following:
- Recurrent miscarriages or chemical pregnancies
- An ectopic pregnancy
- Unexplained infertility, or trouble conceiving
- Embryos that stop developing after fertilisation
- Morphology (normal forms) of 4% or below
- A varicocele (enlarged veins in the scrotum)
For more detail, read Examen's patient brochure.
Before you order
- Preparation
Your sample needs to reach the collection hub within 45 minutes of production. We'll send full instructions with your kit.
- What's included
- Sample collection kit
- Examen Comet laboratory analysis
- A brief explanatory note with your results
- Not included
- A consultation to interpret your results, if you'd like one
- After your results
Results forwarded with a brief explanatory note. Interpretation can be arranged if you'd like more help understanding what they mean.
Choose your test
All three use the same drop-off appointment, and you can confirm the level after booking. We usually recommend Extensiv, especially after recurrent miscarriage, so nothing clinically relevant is missed.
Exact
£545
Initial screening where oxidative stress is suspected
£495 for existing Truth Fertility patients
Extend
£670
Deeper assessment after miscarriage or IVF failure
£620 for existing Truth Fertility patients
Extensiv
£970
The complete picture before treatment
£920 for existing Truth Fertility patients
How it works
Book your drop-off
Reserve your place online with a £115 deposit, which comes off the total. We'll send your collection kit and instructions, and confirm the right test level with you.
Produce your sample at home
In the privacy of your own home, then bring it to the clinic within 45 minutes. Aim to arrive within your drop-off window rather than at an exact time.
Lab analysis and results
Examen's specialist lab analyses your sample using the Comet assay. Results come back in about 14 days, and we can arrange help interpreting them.
Drop-off locations
The evidence
Why the type of DNA damage matters
Recent multi-centre research in Human Reproduction found that double-strand sperm DNA damage is independently linked with lower IVF live birth rates, particularly as female age increases. Many standard tests can't tell the types of damage apart. The Comet assay we use measures double-strand damage directly.
16%
lower odds of a live birth for each 1% increase in double-strand DNA damage, in a study of over 300 IVF cycles
Our Clinical Outcomes
View Clinical Audit →67%
Improved with personalised advice
After structured fertility guidance
−6.5%
Average reduction observed
Across repeat DNA fragmentation tests
80%
Improved with acupuncture added
When acupuncture was included
−7.4%
Average reduction with acupuncture
In combined treatment group
25%
No improvement observed
Showed little change or an increase
These figures come from anonymised repeat sperm DNA fragmentation tests in men who received structured fertility guidance through our clinics, with some also undergoing acupuncture treatment. Individual outcomes vary.
View Clinical Audit →Common questions
Questions about sample collection or logistics? We're happy to talk you through it.
How is this different from a semen analysis?
A semen analysis looks at how many sperm there are, how they move and their shape. This test looks at the DNA inside them, which can be damaged even when a semen analysis looks normal.
What if I can't get to a drop-off location?
Samples need to reach the clinic within 45 minutes, so the test is currently only available through our Bristol and Bournemouth drop-off locations. If neither works for you, get in touch and we'll talk through your options.
Can someone help me understand my results?
Yes. Results are shared with you once they're ready, and interpretation can be arranged if you'd like help understanding what they mean. A men's fertility consultation is a good way to go through them in detail.
Can DNA fragmentation be improved?
Often, yes. In our own audit, most men who received structured fertility guidance saw an improvement on a repeat test, although individual results vary.
Would you like advice first?
If you're not sure whether this test is right for you, we can help you decide.
Men's Fertility Initial Consultation
£9540 mins. A review of your semen analysis and any DNA fragmentation results, hormones and lifestyle, with a plan to support sperm health.
Not sure where to start?
Check with Verity First
£35Send a short account of your journey and your existing results, and Verity will suggest the most useful next step. It's a brief review rather than a full treatment plan, and the £35 can be credited towards a later consultation or acupuncture appointment.