Husbands are asked to collect semen samples immediately before oocyte recovery. It is very important , as a general rule , that the egg recovery cannot proceed until the semen sample has been obtained and prepared. The sperm sample is assessed in the laboratory and a suitable method of preparation is used to isolate the most active sperm for insemination of the eggs.

( If it is possible that the husbands may not be present for the procedure or if there is difficulty in producing samples , special arrangements can be made with couples for the freezing of semen samples prior to the day of egg collection. )