einstein (São Paulo). 03/Jul/2013;11(2):263-4.
New World Health Organization reference values for semen analysis: where do we stand?
DOI: 10.1590/S1679-45082013000200023
Semen analysis is of paramount importance to study potential male fertility, couple’s infertility, the effects of gonadotoxic agents on spermatogenesis and as follow-up test during treatment of male infertility. Since 1987, the World Health Organization proposes the standardization of this test and its reference values based on population-based data. The latest version of the World Health Organization guidelines was published in 2010. It introduced a new methodology that produced new references values, which triggered a discussion that lies inconclusive. We revised the original World Health Organization paper focusing on methodological changes and its results, the new references values and their impact on clinical practice.
Keywords: Semen Analysis; Infertility; Reference values
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