140 Introduction Semen specimen collection prior to diagnostic semen analysis or assisted conception relies heavily on men producing samples by masturbation into a sterile con- tainer either at the laboratory centre or in the privacy of his home. As progressive motility and sperm velocity have been shown consistently to be the most predictive semen parameters in terms of natural or assisted con- ception (Marshburn et al., 1992; Barratt et al., 1993; Larsen et al., 2000; Garrett et al., 2003), it is imperative that the collection container does not alter the motility characteristics of the sample. Specimen collection into a nontoxic container is therefore essential to ensure that diagnostic test results refect sperm quality properly and that any assisted conception treatment using processed sperm may be optimized (WHO, 1999; WHO, 2010). In many cases, cultural barriers and anxiety make this method of specimen collection diffcult and specifc nonspermicidal condoms or silastic (silicone and elastic) sheaths for use during intercourse have been developed as an alternative (Schoenfeld et al., 1978). Unfortunately, the sources of appropriate toxicity tested sheaths are limited and as a result they are relatively expensive (internet price approximately £13, $14 or €14). Consequently, few clinics offer this method of specimen collection routinely and often reserve it for the most ‘deserving’ of cases who may already have failed to produce by masturbation on one or more occasions. A number of latex and nonlatex sheaths are available through pharmacies and the standard UK National Health Service (NHS) supply chain which claim to be nonspermicidal and could make a very attractive and much cheaper alternative specimen collection sheath, providing they can be appropriately validated for this purpose. In this regard validation would need to demonstrate that the sheath is suffciently robust, Human Fertility, 2012; 15(3): 140–143 © 2012 The British Fertility Society ISSN 1464-7273 print/ISSN 1742-8149 online DOI: 10.3109/14647273.2012.718100 SEMEN COLLECTION SHEATHS Brief Communication: Assessment and Validation of Nonspermicidal Condoms as Specimen Collection Sheaths for Semen Analysis and Assisted Conception M. J. TOMLINSON 1 , A. NAEEM 2 , J. F. HOPKISSON 1 & B. CAMPBELL 3 1 Fertility Unit, East Block B Floor, Nottingham University Hospital, Derby Rd, Nottingham, UK, 2 Chairman Computer Science Department, Third Floor, Block-A, Sector E-9, AIR University, Islamabad, Pakistan 44000, and 3 Division of Human Development, University of Nottingham, East Block D Floor, Nottingham University Hospital, Derby Rd, Nottingham, UK Abstract The choice of nonspermicidal sheaths for specimen collection for diagnosis and/or fertility treatment is limited. Those that are available tend to be relatively expensive and as a results, offered selectively to patients. This study describes the evaluation of three over-the-counter nonspermicidal condoms as alternatives to specialized specimen collection sheaths. Sheaths were incubated with motile sperm for up to 2 h and the percent Grade A motility, percent progressive motility and progressive velocity assessed using an ‘in-house’ computer-assisted semen analysis system every 30 min. Two of the sheaths tested, Pasante Naturelle (PN) and the Durex Avanti Ultima were shown to be highly toxic to sperm, leading to immobilization of most specimens within 1 h. However the loss of sperm motility when sperm were incubated with the Pasante Unique (PU) condom was no greater than with either the control (rigid 60 ml specimen container) or the Male Factor Pak (MFP), a commercially available specialized semen collection sheath. In conclusion, the PU brand of condom could be used as a cheaper alternative to the specimen collection sheaths currently avail- able. Furthermore, some brands of condom sold as nonspermicidal are in fact toxic to sperm and will immobilize most specimens within 1 h. Keywords: CASA, collection, semen, sperm, toxicity Correspondence: M. J. Tomlinson, Fertility Unit, East Block B Floor Nottingham University Hospital, Derby Rd, Nottingham, UK. Email: mathew.tomlinson@nuh.nhs.uk (Received 20 February 2012; revised 06 July 2012; accepted 15 July 2012)