clinical testing

How DLO and Mate Health Bring Evidence-Based Male Fertility Testing Home

Expanding Access to Evidence Based Male Fertility Testing

Infertility impacts nearly 1 in 6 couples, and male factors contribute to approximately half of all cases. Despite this, studies suggest that up to 17 percent of couples begin IVF without a prior evaluation of the male partner, often resulting in unnecessary cost, delayed diagnosis, and missed opportunities for earlier intervention.

Mate HealthThrough a new partnership between Diagnostic Laboratory of Oklahoma (DLO) and Mate Health, physicians can now integrate evidence based at home male reproductive testing into patient care, supporting both comprehensive fertility evaluation and post vasectomy clearance with an accurate, accessible, and guideline consistent approach.


A Smarter, Simpler Approach to Male Fertility Testing

Historically, male fertility testing has often been delayed or underutilized, in part due to the need for in-office collection and coordination with specialized andrology laboratories. This reactive model can increase stress for patients and add administrative complexity for practices.

Mate Health removes many of these barriers through a CLIA and CAP certified high complexity andrology laboratory that processes samples collected at home. Each patient receives a validated Active Cooling collection kit with a proprietary semen preservative designed to maintain sample integrity during transport and support laboratory grade accuracy comparable to fresh, in clinic specimens.

Patients may order through QR code brochures provided by their physician or directly through the Mate Health platform. Samples are returned using pre labeled materials, and results are delivered to both the ordering provider and the patient within 24 hours of laboratory receipt.


Comprehensive Testing Aligned With Clinical Standards

Mate Health evaluates more than 20 semen parameters, including concentration, motility, morphology, vitality, and DNA fragmentation. Testing methodologies are aligned with WHO 6th Edition reference standards and AUA guidance for post vasectomy semen analysis.

Reports include a complete laboratory result set along with support from MateIQ, an interpretation tool designed to present findings in a patient friendly format. Providers receive mirrored reports to facilitate shared review and informed counseling.


Improving Workflow, Compliance, and Patient Experience

This collaboration allows practices to integrate male fertility testing without adding operational burden. The model requires no in-office collection, no changes to existing billing workflows, and minimal staff involvement, as patients complete ordering and payment directly through the Mate Health platform.

For post vasectomy semen analysis, the workflow supports adherence to AUA recommendations while avoiding logistical challenges related to specimen drop off and laboratory hours. For fertility evaluations, early male testing promotes a more balanced and efficient diagnostic pathway and may reduce delays in care planning.


Fast, Accurate, and Secure

All testing is performed in a CLIA and CAP certified andrology laboratory using standardized analytical processes.

Results are delivered through secure, HIPAA compliant systems within 24 hours of laboratory receipt, supporting timely clinical decision making while maintaining the standards expected of high complexity testing.

Kits are discreetly packaged, eligible for HSA and FSA use, and supported by clinical validation data.


How to Get Started

Physicians may begin offering Mate Health testing through DLO supported QR code brochures or by directing patients to order at Mate Health.

Whether supporting fertility evaluation or managing post vasectomy follow up, this collaboration provides a practical method for delivering high quality male reproductive testing directly to patients.


Key Takeaways

  • Analysis of more than 20 semen parameters, including motility, morphology, vitality, concentration, and DNA fragmentation
  • MateIQ interpretation provides patient friendly summaries with mirrored provider reports
  • CLIA and CAP certified high complexity andrology laboratory supporting laboratory grade accuracy
  • Results available within 24 hours of laboratory receipt through secure systems
  • Validated Active Cooling collection kit preserves sample integrity during transit
  • No in office collection, no billing changes, and minimal staff involvement
  • Aligned with WHO 6th Edition and AUA guidelines
  • HSA and FSA eligible kits with discreet packaging

Learn more: https://mate.health/pages/Clinician

Arthritis Testing: Supporting Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Ongoing Management

A Comprehensive Approach to Differential Diagnosis

“Arthritis” encompasses more than 100 distinct conditions. Because symptoms such as joint pain, stiffness, and swelling often overlap, distinguishing between inflammatory and non-inflammatory forms is essential for appropriate treatment planning.

DLO offers a broad menu of laboratory testing to support efficient differential diagnosis and earlier therapeutic decision-making.


Osteoarthritis (OA): Clarifying a Common Diagnosis

Often referred to as “wear-and-tear” arthritis, osteoarthritis is the most prevalent form, affecting more than 30 million Americans.

OA and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can present with similar clinical features, including:

  • Joint pain and stiffness
  • Swelling
  • Reduced range of motion

However, treatment strategies differ significantly, making accurate differentiation critical.

Diagnostic evaluation may include:

  • Clinical presentation and joint involvement
  • Patient age and symptom pattern
  • Radiologic findings (e.g., osteophytes, joint space narrowing)
  • Synovial fluid analysis (appearance, WBC count)
  • Inflammatory markers such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)

Unlike RA, OA typically does not present with elevated autoimmune markers. Laboratory testing plays an important role in ruling out inflammatory arthritis.

Osteoarthritis tests:


Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): Early Detection Matters

Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic autoimmune disease that affects approximately 165,000 newly diagnosed patients each year in the United States. It most commonly presents with symmetrical involvement of small joints—particularly fingers and wrists—and occurs more frequently in women.

Because RA can lead to progressive joint damage and may involve extra-articular systems such as the heart and lungs, early identification is essential.

DLO supports RA evaluation with testing that may include:

  • Rheumatoid factor (RF)
  • Cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody
  • C-reactive protein (CRP)
  • Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)

Elevated RF or CCP antibodies may suggest inflammatory arthritis and help distinguish RA from OA.

Rheumatoid arthritis tests:


Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA): Identifying Inflammatory Joint Disease

Psoriatic arthritis develops in approximately 10–20% of patients with psoriasis. While it may share characteristics with RA, PsA can involve joints, ligaments, and tendons and may require a distinct management strategy.

Clinical assessment typically includes patient history, family history, and physical examination. Laboratory testing may assist by:

  • Ruling out RA (RF and CCP antibody)
  • Documenting inflammation (CRP and/or ESR)
  • Evaluating for anemia (hemoglobin or complete blood count)

DLO’s expanding test menu supports clinicians in evaluating suspected PsA and other inflammatory arthritides.

Psoriatic arthritis tests:


Partner with DLO for Arthritis Testing Support

From first-line evaluation to ongoing monitoring, DLO provides:

  • Broad access to autoimmune and inflammatory testing
  • Reliable turnaround times
  • Consultative support
  • Integration with your clinical workflow

When arthritis is part of the differential, you can rely on DLO to help guide clinical insight and support timely patient care.

Visit the Quest Diagnostics Test Directory

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Testing

Through our joint-venture affiliation with Quest Diagnostics, DLO offers a variety of diagnostic lab tests. These tests include routine blood tests, anatomic pathology, and complex molecular and genetic testing. Some of these tests include:

To view a complete listing of the new and cutting-edge testing available, visit the Test Center page at QuestDiagnostics.com.

*Clicking any of these links will take you to the website of Quest Diagnostics, the nation’s leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services. Through our joint venture relationship, DLO is able to offer many of Quest Diagnostics online services as a resource to Oklahoma healthcare professionals and patients.

Visit the Quest Diagnostics Test Directory

View Lab and Database Updates through IntelliTest Manager™