PS Detect Test identifies patients who could benefit from varicocele repair surgery
Charlottesville, VA – March 3, 2025 – A breakthrough in male fertility diagnostics, PS Detect, is now commercially available. Developed by PS Fertility, this innovative test helps healthcare providers identify patients who may benefit from targeted fertility treatments like varicocele repair surgery.
“Male infertility is often underdiagnosed. By utilizing the PS Detect results, physicians can better assess male infertility and determine the best treatment to optimize a couple’s chance of having a baby,” explains Kevin Combs, CEO of PS Fertility.
“Male infertility is often underdiagnosed. By utilizing the PS Detect results, physicians can better assess male infertility and determine the best treatment to optimize a couple’s chance of having a baby,” explains Kevin Combs, CEO of PS Fertility.
What is PS Detect?
PS Detect was developed as a convenient, discreet diagnostic test that provides insights into phosphatidylserine (PS) levels on sperm. A 2019 study identified PS as an essential biomarker that must be present on the surface of sperm in order for fertilization to occur. PS Detect complements the standard semen analysis by providing a more complete picture of male fertility, as studies show that 20%–30% of men with a normal standard semen analysis are, in fact, infertile.
How does PS Detect help couples seeking fertility answers?
Research shows PS Detect provides critical insights into the benefits of varicocele repair, a procedure for treating enlarged veins in the scrotum. Varicoceles are a leading yet often undiagnosed cause of male infertility, affecting over 41% of infertile men. Identifying patients who would benefit from this procedure has historically been challenging due to a lack of testing options to measure whether the procedure would be effective.
How does PS Detect work?
By testing for phosphatidylserine on sperm, PS Detect evaluates sperm competency—how effective sperm is at fertilization— through a metric called a PS Score. A 2024 study published in JU Open Plus determined that:
- PS Score correlates with male fertility status.
- PS Score was significantly higher in fertile, pregnancy-proven donors compared to patients with a varicocele.
- PS Score improved to fertile levels for patients that had varicocele repair.
This suggests that a PS Score can effectively identify patients who would benefit from varicocele repair surgery.
“While varicoceles are considered the most common correctable cause of male infertility, varicocele repair is an underutilized treatment for couples experiencing infertility since we have not had a predictive qualitative diagnostic test to determine if a patient’s fertility will likely improve from the procedure,” says Dr. Parviz Kavoussi, reproductive urologist at Austin Fertility & Reproductive Medicine and adjunct assistant professor at the University of Texas at Austin. “We are excited to offer PS Detect testing to our patients and to use the results to help determine the best treatment option for our fertility patients.”
PS Fertility continues to explore additional factors that may contribute to improving PS Scores, further advancing treatment options for male infertility.
Interested in getting fertility answers with PS Detect?
Ask your doctor or email us at info@psfertility.com to take your next step.
About PS Fertility
PS Fertility is committed to revolutionizing male fertility diagnostics by equipping physicians and patients with advanced tools to uncover the root causes of infertility. By offering innovative solutions like PS Detect, PS Fertility is empowering more couples to get fertility answers. For more information, visit www.psfertility.com.
