What should be reported if a semen specimen was collected three hours before analysis?

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When a semen specimen is collected, the timing of the analysis is crucial for accurate results. Semen specimens are typically required to be analyzed within one hour after collection for optimal integrity and viability of the sperm. A delay of three hours before analysis can significantly affect parameters such as sperm motility and morphology, leading to potentially erroneous results.

Reporting the specimen as compromised indicates that the delay in analysis may have negatively impacted the quality of the semen sample. This acknowledgment is important for clinicians to interpret the results accurately and make informed decisions regarding treatment options. Recognizing the specimen's compromised state helps maintain the reliability of laboratory results and ensures appropriate patient management moving forward.

The other choices do not appropriately address the implications of the analysis timeline. Suggesting that it can be analyzed without issues overlooks the degradation that can occur over time. Conducting extra testing might indicate an uncertainty regarding the specimen's viability, but it does not directly address the impact of the extended time before analysis. Discarding the specimen completely may be excessive if the clinician or laboratory can still utilize some information from the compromised specimen, even if it is less than ideal.

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