Evaluation and standardization of the quality of semen: New lower reference limit

Spermogram or semen analysis is one of the most used parameters in the evaluation of male fertility. WHO (2010) presented the 5th Manual for review and processing of human semen, a document that was discussed during the first workshop of standardization of semen analysis (PLEAS), held in Santiago de Chile, May 2010. Subsequently applied the new values expressed in "lower reference limit" (LRL) for semen in several analysis studies conducted by various authors (2003 to 2010). The results indicate that 81% of Latin American researchers believe the new manual standardizes best sperm concentration, 96% agree with the new subclassification in progressive sperm motility (A), non-progressive (B) and immobile (C). 68% determined that the best instruments for the sperm count is the Neubauer haemocytometer chamber. Regarding quality control only 18% performed external quality control. 100% of researchers believe it is appropriate to conduct ongoing standardization workshops. Regarding the application of LRL in the study populations (2003-2010), 100% comply with the standards to be considered a population with fertility capacity. However, several authors argue that a new version of the WHO manual, must be re-done urgently to better standardize sperm concentration (15 million/mL) and morphology according to strict criteria (4%), reference values considered very low.