Interpretation of semen analysis

Abstract

Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after one year of unprotected intercourse and affects globally about 15-20 % of couples. Of these, 30-40 % can be attributed to an identifiable male factor, 30-40 % to female factors, and the remaining 20 % to a combination of both male and female factors (Guttmacher 1956; Thonneau et al. 1991). Although many couples may present with an obvious and identifiable cause for the subfertility, there are cases with unexplained reasons for the delay in conception. Traditional semen analysis is the first test used to evaluate the male partner. This chapter discusses the basics of semen analysis and interpretation of the results in the light of the 2010 WHO Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Human Semen.