[WHO Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Human Semen: its applicability to andrology laboratories in China]

Abstract

The 5th edition of WHO Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Human Semen (2010) represents a comprehensive revision. This article aims to explore the applicability of this manual to andrology laboratories in China mainland in view of sperm count analysis, sperm motility analysis, sperm morphology analysis, sperm function analysis, anti-sperm antibody and seminal plasma biochemical marker analysis, and quality assurance and quality control of semen analysis. The authors deem that its recommendation to the analysis method and lower reference limit of sperm concentration may be a little arbitrary and lack of evidence-based support, that the revised grading sperm motility, the strict criteria and the very low cut-off value of 4% morphologically normal spermatozoa for the evaluation of sperm morphology are not applicable to andrology laboratories in China mainland, that the sperm function markers need to be supplemented, and that the determination methods of anti-sperm antibody and seminal plasma biochemical markers are incompatible with the status of Chinese andrology laboratories. However, its recommended methods for quality assurance and quality control of semen analysis have a significant directive role in China mainland. It is worth to point out that the WHO manual ignored the data obtained from Chinese which accounts for approximate 20% of the world population. Thus, given the importance of the WHO manual, its general applicability should be evaluated in China.