Semen Culture
A semen culture is an infection workup, not a fertility score. It grows bacteria from a semen sample to find out whether an infection is behind white blood cells, pain, or poor motility.
What this test measures
The lab plates a semen sample and incubates it for aerobic bacteria. If organisms grow, the report names them and usually lists which antibiotics they are sensitive to.
It is most often ordered after a semen analysis shows elevated round cells (leukocytospermia — over 1 million white blood cells per mL), or when there are symptoms such as pelvic pain, painful ejaculation, or a history of prostatitis.
Parameters reported
How to prepare
- Urinate first, then wash hands and genitals with soap and water before collecting — this reduces skin contamination that can cause false positives.
- Collect the whole sample directly into the sterile container. Do not touch the inside of the cup or lid.
- No lubricants, saliva, or condoms.
- Tell the lab if you are taking antibiotics — they can suppress growth and mask an infection.
- Bring your Hera lab order and a photo ID.
What happens at the lab
- Check in and hand over your Hera order. Semen cultures are usually processed by the lab's microbiology department, so collection may be at a general patient service center rather than a fertility clinic.
- You'll be given a sterile cup and a private room. Note the time of collection on the label.
- Hand the sample back promptly — cultures should be plated within an hour of collection.
Getting your results
Cultures take time to grow. Expect a preliminary result in 2–3 days and a final report with antibiotic sensitivities in about 3–5 days — confirm with the lab.
A positive culture names the organism and recommends antibiotics. Share the result with a doctor for treatment; Hera can help you find a urologist.
Because a semen culture is not a fertility analysis, Hera's AI fertility score does not apply to it. Pair it with a semen analysis if you also want count, motility, and morphology.
Test codes: CPT and diagnosis
Semen cultures are ordered under a general culture code, so what makes it a semen culture is the specimen source on the requisition. These are the codes to look for on an outside order, and the ones a Hera order carries.
CPT codes (what the lab runs)
| Code | What it covers |
|---|---|
| 87070On a Hera order | Aerobic bacterial culture of a specimen other than urine, blood or stool — the semen culture itself. The order must list the specimen source as semen. |
| 87077 | Definitive identification of a bacterial isolate — added by the lab only if something grows. |
| 87186 | Antibiotic susceptibility (MIC) — added by the lab only if something grows, so the report can name which antibiotics work. |
Diagnosis codes physicians commonly use (ICD-10)
| Code | What it covers |
|---|---|
| R86.5On a Hera order | Abnormal microbiological findings in a male genital specimen — the usual code after white blood cells or bacteria on a semen analysis. |
| N41.1 | Chronic prostatitis — when pelvic pain or recurrent prostate infection is the reason for the culture. |
| N46.9 | Male infertility, unspecified — when the culture is part of an infertility workup. |
| Z31.41 | Encounter for fertility testing. |
Check that the order says CPT 87070 with the source as semen. A genital culture ordered as a swab, or a urine culture (CPT 87086), is a different test and the lab will turn away a semen cup for it. A semen culture also does not test for chlamydia, gonorrhea, Ureaplasma or Mycoplasma — those need separate PCR orders.
Common questions
What is the difference between a semen culture and a semen analysis?
A semen analysis measures sperm count, motility, morphology, and volume. A semen culture looks for bacteria. They answer different questions and are ordered separately, though they can be collected on the same visit at labs that offer both.
When is a semen culture ordered?
Usually when a semen analysis shows more than 1 million white blood cells per mL (leukocytospermia), or when there are symptoms of a genital-tract infection such as painful ejaculation, pelvic pain, or recurrent prostatitis.
Can an infection affect fertility?
Yes. Genital-tract infections can lower motility, raise DNA fragmentation, and in some cases cause blockages. Treating a confirmed infection and retesting after 3 months often improves semen parameters.
Do I need a doctor's order for a semen culture?
Yes. Hera provides the physician order and routes it to a lab that runs semen cultures. Availability is limited — check the locations listed on this page.
What is the CPT code for a semen culture?
CPT 87070 — an aerobic bacterial culture of a specimen other than urine, blood or stool — with the specimen source written as semen. If bacteria grow, the lab adds identification (87077) and antibiotic susceptibility (87186). The diagnosis code most often used is R86.5, abnormal microbiological findings in a male genital specimen.
Where to get it
Lab networks with listed locations that run this test through Hera.
This test is available at a small number of specialty labs. Search the full directory to see current locations.