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Chapter 20 - The Modern Semen Analysis

Theory and Techniques of Ejaculate Examination

from Section 4 - Laboratory Evaluation and Treatment of Male Infertility

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 December 2023

By
Lars Björndahl
Edited by
Douglas T. Carrell ,
Alexander W. Pastuszak  and
James M. Hotaling
Douglas T. Carrell
Affiliation:
Utah Center for Reproductive Medicine
Alexander W. Pastuszak
Affiliation:
University of Utah
James M. Hotaling
Affiliation:
Utah Center for Reproductive Medicine
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Summary

The examination of the human ejaculate constitutes a complicated branch of medical laboratory science. To understand the complexity of the human ejaculate knowledge about the physiology and pathology is facilitating. It is also essential to understand that the main value of ejaculate examination is the information that can be obtained on the functional capacity of the male reproductive organs. Still, the main focus has for a long time only been on the prognostic value for the outcome of the fertility of the couple. In this chapter the focus is on how the functional capacity of the male reproductive trace can reflect in the ejaculate examined in the laboratory. Important principles for reliable laboratory techniques for ejaculate volume, sperm concentration and sperm count, sperm motility, sperm vitality, and sperm morphology are described with requirements for reliability, assessment of uncertainties, need for staff training, internal quality control, and interlaboratory comparisons (external quality control).

Keywords

semenejaculate evaluationmale reproductionfertility
Type
Chapter
Information
Men's Reproductive and Sexual Health Throughout the Lifespan
An Integrated Approach to Fertility, Sexual Function, and Vitality
 , pp. 159 - 164
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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References

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