Scientists in Britain have developed the world’s first fertility test kit for men.
The over-the-counter home fertility test kit, developed by scientists at Birmingham University, can provide accurate results in 95 percent of cases and can predict an early warning of potential fertility problem, the online edition of BBC News reported.
The kit, which is now available, works by forcing sperm to swim through a barrier mimicking the female cervix. It then measures the number of sperm which get beyond this point.
Currently many couples are advised to wait for around a year before seeking medical attention. But age can have a very significant negative impact on fertility so having reliable information at an early stage can be a huge advantage.
The researchers, led by Professor Chris Barratt, analysed more than 3,000 individual sperm samples during the study.
If a high enough level of active sperm is present in the sample, a red line indicates a positive test, Barratt said. Men can take this test at home and it should help them overcome their initial embarrassment.
Clare Brown, of Infertility Network UK, said that with many couples delaying a family until later in life, it was important to provide as much information about their current fertility as possible.
She said: “This test can provide them with that information and allow them to identify some fertility problems at an early stage.
“However, it is important that couples are also made aware that other factors can affect their chances of conceiving such as blocked fallopian tubes.”