I’m thrilled to bring you this conversation about a breakthrough in male fertility diagnostics that’s been literally hiding in plain site. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Jeff Lysiak, PhD, co-founder and Chief Science Officer at PS Fertility, to discuss phosphatidylserine (PS) and how this critical molecule on sperm is revolutionizing how we diagnose male infertility. Jeff shares the fascinating story of how his research at the University of Virginia led to discovering that PS on the surface of sperm is essential for fertilization and how traditional semen analysis completely misses this vital piece of the puzzle.
This episode addresses a frustration I’ve experienced for years in my practice: couples with “normal” semen analysis results who still have trouble when it comes to trying to conceive. Research shows that 20-30% of men with normal basic semen analysis could still be infertile, and we’ve had no way to identify them, until now.
Jeff explains how the PS Detect test measures fertilization-competent sperm, why the egg is an active player (not passive!) in fertilization, and how this test can help couples avoid unnecessary treatments and finally get answers when everything else looks “normal.”
In this episode, we cover:
- What phosphatidylserine (PS) is and why it’s critical for sperm to fuse with and fertilize an egg
- The major limitations of standard semen analysis (count, motility, morphology) and why 20-30% of men with “normal” results may still be infertile
- How the PS Detect test works using flow cytometry to assess over 10,000 sperm per sample
- The connection between varicocele and low PS scores—and how varicocelectomy surgery can restore PS levels to normal ranges
- When the PS test should be ordered in a fertility workup and what to do if scores are low
- Early data showing over 30% of men seeking fertility treatment have low PS scores, including those with normal semen analysis
- How this test can prevent women from undergoing unnecessary treatments when the male factor is undiagnosed
Resources:
