How PS Biomarkers are Redefining the Future of Male Fertility Testing

A Shift from Counting to Competency

For decades, male fertility testing has relied on conventional semen analysis—measuring sperm count, shape, and motility. While helpful, these tests have always been viewed as a partial picture of the overall male fertility picture since most studies show that up to 30% of men with “normal” semen analysis results still experience infertility.

Despite the proven efficacy and value of standard semen analysis, they are missing a crucial factor: whether sperm are actually capable of fertilizing an egg once they come into contact with it.

The PS Score changes that. Based on the presence of phosphatidylserine (PS), a phospholipid that has been demonstrated to be essential for sperm-egg fusion, this breakthrough metric measures sperm fertilization competency, as opposed to the traditional sperm count and shape.

PS Detect: Testing What Was Previously Untested

PS Detect is a physician-ordered test that can be performed on an at-home semen sample. It measures the percentage of sperm with PS expressed on their surface, providing a precise PS Score. A score of 78% or higher is considered within the normal range.

From early commercial usage ordered by 22 physicians, primarily reproductive urologists, here’s what we’ve learned:

38% of patients had a PS Score below 78%. Scores ranged from 32% to 94%, and the average age of a patient tested was 35 years old. 

The takeaway is clear: even in a relatively small first wave of clinical adoption, PS Detect is uncovering hidden fertility challenges that standard testing often misses.

Turning Insight into Action

The PS Score gives doctors key information to choose the right fertility treatment for a couple from the start. Without it, couples might pursue costly treatments that take time and may not work because a male fertility issue has been missed.

Another impactful use of PS Detect is identifying patients who may benefit from varicocele repair, a minimally invasive procedure to correct enlarged veins in the scrotum. Research shows men with varicoceles often have lower PS Scores, and surgical intervention can correct the enlargement to restore PS Score to pregnancy-proven levels.

By providing functional fertility data, PS Detect enables doctors to move beyond guesswork, tailoring treatment to each patient’s unique needs.