Male home fertility kit launched

Scientists at Birmingham University have developed the world’s first over-the-counter home fertility test for men.

The Fertell test is designed to give couples trying for a baby early warning of any potential fertility problems. The test measures the number of motile sperm and provides a result in around an hour.

The device, which was developed in collaboration with London-based medical devices company Genosis, is available to buy from Boots this month.

The test works by forcing sperm to swim through a barrier, which mimics the female cervix. The device then measures the number of sperm, which swim beyond this point.

By including a barrier, the device is able to accurately measure the concentration of active sperm, which is a key indicator of male fertility. If a high enough level of sperm is present in the sample, a red line indicates a positive test.

Professor Chris Barratt, who led the research, said: “The test has the advantage of being extremely straightforward to use. The man produces a sample, sets the device and within an hour will be able to assess whether he has enough sperm to fertilise the female egg. Having a simple home test also takes the pressure off men, who may feel embarrassed at the prospect of providing a sample in a clinic.”

During the study, researchers examined samples from 150 men and said that the test provided an accurate result in 95% of cases.

More than 3,000 individual sperm samples were analysed during the development of the test.

Professor Barratt said: “The Fertell test should provide couples who are trying to conceive with an early warning. At the moment, 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.

(KMcA)