Semen parameters, including WHO and strict criteria morphology, in a fertile and subfertile population: An effort towards standardization of in-vivo thresholds
Date
2001
Authors
Menkveld R.
Wong W.Y.
Lombard C.J.
Wetzels A.M.M.
Thomas C.M.G.
Merkus H.M.W.M.
Steegers-Theunissen R.P.M.
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Journal ISSN
Volume Title
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Abstract
In this study, the semen analysis results of a fertile population were compared with those from a subfertile population, in order to establish normal cut-off values for the standard semen parameters with the aid of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The fertile group comprised healthy males (n = 107) without any history of fertility problems, the partners of whom had had a spontaneous pregnancy within one year of unprotected intercourse and were pregnant at the time of the male's inclusion into the study. A total of 103 males from couples attending the infertility clinic, and with an initial sperm count of <20 × 106/ml were recruited to form the subfertile population. The best discriminating parameter between the two populations was sperm morphology evaluated according to WHO criteria at a cut-off point of 31% normal spermatozoa. The other cut-off values were at 8% for the acrosome index, 45% for motility, and 4% normal spermatozoa for strict criteria. Recalculating the ROC curve cut-off values based on an assumed 50% prevalence of subfertility in an assisted reproductive setting, the cut-off points were reduced to 21% and 3% normal spermatozoa for WHO and strict criteria respectively. For motility, the new cut-off value was at 20% motile spermatozoa, for motility quality at 3.5 (on a scale of 1-6), the acrosome index at 3% normal acrosomes, and the teratozoospermia index at 2.09.
Description
Keywords
acrosome, adult, article, azoospermia, comparative study, controlled study, fertility, human, in vivo study, major clinical study, male, morphology, population research, pregnancy, prevalence, semen analysis, spermatozoon count, spermatozoon motility, standard, statistical analysis, subfertility, world health organization, Acrosome, Adult, Humans, Hydrogen-Ion Concentration, Infertility, Male, Male, Reference Values, ROC Curve, Semen, Sperm Count, Sperm Motility, Spermatozoa, World Health Organization
Citation
Human Reproduction
16
6
16
6