Sammanfattning
Background: Semen analysis is an important tool in the investigation of involuntary childlessness. Standard semen analysis includes sperm concentration, total sperm count, sperm motility, and sperm morphology. The analysis is based on subjective evaluations, which are difficult to standardize. Assessments often vary between different laboratories. The World Health Organization has developed guidelines for examination of human semen.
Material and methods: This article is based on the guidelines of the World Health Organization, on the authors’ experiences and research in the field, as well as literature searches in PubMed and Google Scholar.
Results/Discussion: In order to achieve accurate and reproducible results and to compare the results with those from other laboratories, it is necessary that the examination of the semen sample is standardized. The latest World Health Organization guidelines, published in 2010, are more evidence-based than the previous recommendations. In this article, the methods used in standard semen analysis are reviewed. Reference values for the different semen variables, selected methods not included in standard analysis, quality assurance at the laboratory, and clinical significance of the semen parameters is also discussed.