HBA test
The Hyaluronan Binding Assay (HBA), a test of sperm functional and motile maturity, determines the percentage of mature sperm based on their ability to bind to hyaluronic acid. This allows for the selection of an appropriate assisted reproduction method.
The Hyaluronan Binding Assay (HBA), a test of sperm functional and motile maturity, determines the percentage of mature sperm based on their ability to bind to hyaluronic acid. This allows for the selection of an appropriate assisted reproduction method.
What is the HBA test?
What is the HBA test?
This test determines the percentage of mature sperm based on their ability to bind to hyaluronic acid. Under natural conditions, hyaluronate plays an important role in the interaction between the sperm and the egg cell.
Hyaluronic acid is found in great quantities in the oocyte-surroinding space – in the zona pellucida and in the granulosa cells surrounding the oocyte, the ‘cumulus’. Sperm that are ready for conception and have completed all stages of development carry a hyaluronic acid receptor on their surface, enabling them to penetrate the granulosa cell barrier and fertilize the egg. If the sperm does not complete its maturation process, fertilisation is not possible, neither under natural conditions nor in the process of in vitro fertilisation.
About testing
Practised approaches
Hyaluronic Acid Binding
The HBA test evaluates how well sperm can bind to hyaluronic acid. A sample of fresh semen is placed on a slide coated with hyaluronic acid and then microscopic analysis of at least 100 motile spermatozoa is done after several minutes. To confirm a normal test result, a minimum of 80% of sperm must be bound to hyaluronic acid.
Good to know
Preparation
for testing
We recommend semen testing:
- To diagnose male infertility;
- To diagnose failed natural attempts and assisted reproduction procedures;
- In case of recurrent miscarriages;
- Prior to assisted reproduction procedures in order to select an appropriate sperm selection method and treatment method.
The following factors should be considered before proceeding with semen testing:
- Sexual abstinence
One of the key factors that affect the reliability of semen analysis is sexual abstinence, which should be from two to seven days. Both shorter and longer periods of sexual abstinence can affect parameters such as concentration, motility and sperm morphology. In the case of a repeated examination, the patient should maintain the same period of sexual abstinence.
- Stimulants and physical activity
Before semen testing, you should maintain a minimum of two days of alcohol abstinence and also limit excessive physical exertion for at least a day before the test.
No additional studies are required other than observing the standard semen preparation plan.
A minimum of 30 million motile spermatozoa (moving in a progressive motion) must be present in fresh semen to perform the HBA test. The HBA test is not possible in patients with known severe oligo-, astheno-, necro- and azoospermia.
Semen testing should not be carried out during antibiotic therapy, in which case you should wait a minimum of 14 days after the end of the therapy. The result is also negatively affected by an elevated body temperature – in this case, it is recommended to perform the test 2.5 to 3 months after its onset.
Course of testing
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
We have two semen donation rooms in our clinic. These are located in a secluded part of the corridor, away from where other patients are waiting for their appointments. The room is equipped with a washbasin, a comfortable armchair and a TV with videos to help you donate sperm. The room is lockable from the inside and there is a tag on the door to advise whether the room is free or occupied. The room is communicated with the laboratory by an administration window that is locked from the inside; you leave your material for testing in this window.
In exceptional cases, the material can be delivered to the clinic from home in a container labelled with the patient’s full name and hour of material donation. You must then bring the sample in person to the laboratory no later than 30 minutes after ejaculation. During transport to the laboratory, the semen should not be subjected to shocks or temperature fluctuations (optimum transport temperature is 20-37°C). The transport temperature is most easily controlled by transporting the container in contact with the body, e.g. in a shirt or jacket pocket.
Yes, you can. Please remember that the material must not originate from a condom or intermittent intercourse.
Test price list
| HBA test |
PLN 320 |
| Semen testing package III – extended (extended computerised semen examination, DNA fragmentation, HBA test) |
PLN 760 |
| Semen testing package IV – full (extended computerised semen examination, DNA fragmentation, MAR IgG and IgA test, Mioxsys test – ROS test, HBA test) |
PLN 1 260 |
Opinions
How patients see us
I would like to wholeheartedly thank the ARTVIMED staff for making our dream of becoming parents come true. Our beloved baby son was born on 15 May this year.
Thanks to the physicians at the clinic, the whole IVF procedure was successful on the first try 🙂 We received the best care at each step. I had the opportunity to meet several doctors at the clinic during my appointments, and each one proved to be an outstanding professional.
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Opinion (Google) |
I highly recommend this doctor. Competent, committed, empathetic. Specific treatment plan. You know you are in good hands.
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Opinion by B. on Dr. Joanna Figuła (Znany Lekarz) |
Thanks to the Doctor, we welcomed our son into the world 2 weeks ago.
We found this doctor after several years of struggling to conceive a child and being treated by specialists who knew nothing about infertility. The doctor immediately outlined a definite plan of action, ordered the right diagnostic tests, and referred us to the hospital for testing. As a result, the treatment progressed in the right direction.[…]
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Opinion on Dr Ewa Posadzka Agnieszka L. (Znany Lekarz) |
The best doctor we could have come across; she managed our pregnancy with great commitment.
Patient and taking every moment to help or clear up doubts if necessary. Thanks to the Doctor, we are parents of a 5-month-old miracle baby. Highly recommended
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Opinion on Dr Agnieszka Wolak Anna (Znany Lekarz) |
Dr Baran is by far the gentlest, most thorough gynaecologist interested in the patient’s concerns that I have ever encountered.
Immense knowledge of endometriosis, the skills to provide complete ultrasound testing for it and the know how to guide a patient dealing with this unpleasant disease. […]
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Opinion on Dr. Rafał Baran (Znany Lekarz) |
I highly recommend pregnancy management. My past experience with other doctors was that there was little to be gained from the appointments, the doctors were reluctant to tell me what they saw, unwilling to answer questions, and Ms Joanna answered every single one, demonstrating an enormous amount of patience. Highly recommended.
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Opinion on Dr. Joanna Figuła Katarzyna (Znany Lekarz) |
Although our little sunshine is already 6 years old, so far, when I look at her, I still have Dr Chrostowski and the Artvimed clinic in my mind… Dr Chrostowski has got that something about him that, when you are in his office, you know that you couldn’t have found a better place. I will always highly recommend ARTVIMED to everyone.
Ps. I still am in awe of how the embryologists work…how they ‘managed’ to create such a miracle… 😉 Thank you for being there
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Opinion (Google) |
Very matter-of-fact doctor; she informs you thoroughly about everything and explains everything comprehensively. She informed me of the treatment plan and was very kind, gentle and understanding.
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Opinion on Dr Katarzyna Doroszewska (Znany Lekarz) |
We would like to thank the entire ARTVIMED Team – our little miracle was born 2 weeks ago. Many thanks are due, in particular, to Dr Posadzka, through whom the right diagnostic work began, and to Dr Chrostowski, who guided further treatment, punctures, and transfer. I also had the pleasure of dealing with most of the doctors during the course of my diagnosis and each one showed a great deal of support and professionalism. We would also like to thank the Embryology Team – without you, our son would not be here. Thank you for the beautiful work of the whole clinic!
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Opinion (Google) |
