The new 6th edition of the WHO laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen: Is it a step toward better standard operating procedure?
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Date
2021
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Shanghai Institute Materia Medica
Abstract
Semen analysis (SA) remains the
cornerstone of male infertility evaluation
and should ideally be performed by an
accredited andrology laboratory or in
vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics based on
the standards defined by the World Health
Organization (WHO) for the Examination
and Processing of Human Semen and
in accordance with the International
Organization for Standardization’s Basic
Semen Examination on Specification and
Test Methods.1,2 The first edition of the WHO
Laboratory Manual on Semen Analysis
Processing was published in 1980, and since then, four modified and updated versions
have been released to improve SA standard
methods and incorporate new technologies
to assess extended and advanced sperm
parameters.3
Early this year, an anticipated
6th edition draft has been sent out online for
public reviewing and feedback before its
forthcoming official publication.4
The new 6th
edition of the WHO manual aims to provide
not only an update of the current methods
and thresholds but also an insight in recent
developments on semen examination, sperm
preparation and cryopreservation, and
quality control and assurance.
Description
Keywords
World Health Organisation (WHO), Human semen, Male infertility, Abnormal ejaculates, South Africa
Citation
Chung, E. et al. (2021). The new 6th edition of the WHO laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen: Is it a step toward better standard operating procedure?. Asian Journal of Andrology,24, 1-2. 10.4103/aja2021118