Semen parameters, including WHO and strict criteria morphology, in a fertile and subfertile population: An effort towards standardization of in-vivo thresholds

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dc.contributor.authorMenkveld R.
dc.contributor.authorWong W.Y.
dc.contributor.authorLombard C.J.
dc.contributor.authorWetzels A.M.M.
dc.contributor.authorThomas C.M.G.
dc.contributor.authorMerkus H.M.W.M.
dc.contributor.authorSteegers-Theunissen R.P.M.
dc.date.accessioned2011-05-15T16:16:33Z
dc.date.available2011-05-15T16:16:33Z
dc.date.issued2001
dc.description.abstractIn 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.
dc.description.versionArticle
dc.identifier.citationHuman Reproduction
dc.identifier.citation16
dc.identifier.citation6
dc.identifier.issn02681161
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/13836
dc.subjectacrosome
dc.subjectadult
dc.subjectarticle
dc.subjectazoospermia
dc.subjectcomparative study
dc.subjectcontrolled study
dc.subjectfertility
dc.subjecthuman
dc.subjectin vivo study
dc.subjectmajor clinical study
dc.subjectmale
dc.subjectmorphology
dc.subjectpopulation research
dc.subjectpregnancy
dc.subjectprevalence
dc.subjectsemen analysis
dc.subjectspermatozoon count
dc.subjectspermatozoon motility
dc.subjectstandard
dc.subjectstatistical analysis
dc.subjectsubfertility
dc.subjectworld health organization
dc.subjectAcrosome
dc.subjectAdult
dc.subjectHumans
dc.subjectHydrogen-Ion Concentration
dc.subjectInfertility, Male
dc.subjectMale
dc.subjectReference Values
dc.subjectROC Curve
dc.subjectSemen
dc.subjectSperm Count
dc.subjectSperm Motility
dc.subjectSpermatozoa
dc.subjectWorld Health Organization
dc.titleSemen parameters, including WHO and strict criteria morphology, in a fertile and subfertile population: An effort towards standardization of in-vivo thresholds
dc.typeArticle
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