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Semen Analysis

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Andrology

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Abstract

Semen is analyzed for both diagnostic and prognostic purposes. Whether spermatozoa are present, in what numbers and in what condition (viable, motile, morphologically normal), are useful indicators that reflect testicular, epididymal, and accessory gland function and provide information on the quality of semen transferred at coitus. As variation in semen quality produced by the same man on different days is high, the use of standard methods for collecting and quantifying semen constituents and sperm characteristics is obligatory for an objective interpretation of the semen analysis result. The major semen analysis tests are described here along with the terminology and reference values provided by the sixth edition of the WHO Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Human Semen (2021).

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany

    Verena Nordhoff & Barbara Hellenkemper

  2. Department of Clinical Physiopathology, Andrology and Endocrinology Units, Center of Excellence DeNothe, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

    Elisabetta Baldi

  3. Center of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany

    Eberhard Nieschlag

Authors
  1. Verena Nordhoff
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  2. Elisabetta Baldi
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  3. Barbara Hellenkemper
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  4. Eberhard Nieschlag
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Verena Nordhoff .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany

    Eberhard Nieschlag

  2. Center for Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Halle (Saale), Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany

    Hermann M. Behre

  3. Center for Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany

    Sabine Kliesch

  4. Center for Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany

    Susan Nieschlag

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Nordhoff, V., Baldi, E., Hellenkemper, B., Nieschlag, E. (2023). Semen Analysis. In: Nieschlag, E., Behre, H.M., Kliesch, S., Nieschlag, S. (eds) Andrology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-31574-9_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-31574-9_9

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  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-31574-9

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