How the BabyStart Male Infertility Test (FertilMARQ™) Works

The BabyStart Male Infertility Test is an easy-to-use screening test to measure your sperm concentration. It determines whether your sperm concentration is above or below 20 million sperm cells per milliliter (million/mL). Two test results with sperm concentration less than 20 million/mL may indicate male infertility (this concentration value has been recommended by the World Health Organization).

The BabyStart Male Infertility Test works by staining the cells in the sperm sample to produce a color. The intensity of this color is then compared to a color reference on the FertilMARQ™ test cassette (see Test Kit Contents). The color comparison will tell you whether the sperm concentration in the test sample is above 20 million/mL (positive test) or below 20 million/mL (negative test).

Sperm concentration is one of the factors used by physicians to help determine male infertility. However, since many additional factors play a role in male infertility, a positive test is not a guarantee of fertility.

There are many reasons why a man may be infertile, that is unable to father a child. One important reason is a low amount of sperm in semen. Other reasons could be inactive or incompletely formed sperm cells, high levels of other cells in the semen that interfere with fertilization, or other factors. Medical or physical conditions may also interfere, including stress, high fever experienced within two months prior to testing, exercise, traveling, and changes in diet. Your physician can best explain these conditions and other factors to you.

Taking this screening test will indicate if you have a low amount of sperm in your semen. You can provide these test results to your physician to aid in determining whether you are infertile.

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