Skip Navigation

This Article
Right arrow FREE Full Text (PDF ) Freely available
Right arrow Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in ISI Web of Science
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Search for citing articles in:
ISI Web of Science (67)
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Ombelet, W.
Right arrow Articles by Kruger, T.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Ombelet, W.
Right arrow Articles by Kruger, T.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

Human Reproduction, Vol 12, 987-993, Copyright © 1997 by Oxford University Press

ARTICLES

Semen parameters in a fertile versus subfertile population: a need for change in the interpretation of semen testing

W Ombelet, E Bosmans, M Janssen, A Cox, J Vlasselaer, W Gyselaers, H Vandeput, J Gielen, H Pollet, M Maes, O Steeno and T Kruger
Genk Institute for Fertility Technology, ZOL Ziekenhuis, Campus St Jan, Belgium.

This prospectively designed study was conducted to compare a fertile and a subfertile population so as to define normal values for different semen parameters. Semen analyses were performed according to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, except for sperm morphology (strict criteria). In the fertile population (n = 144), all patients had recently achieved pregnancy, within 12 months of unprotected coitus. As subfertile controls we examined semen samples from 143 consecutive men attending our infertility clinic during the same study period. Couples with tubal factor infertility and/or ovulatory disorders were excluded from our study. Using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis we determined the diagnostic potential and cut-off values for single and combined sperm parameters. Sperm morphology scored best, with a value of 78% (area under the ROC curve). Summary statistics showed a shift towards abnormality for most semen parameters in the subfertile population. Using the 10th percentile of the fertile population as the cut-off value, the following results were obtained: 14.3 x 10(6)/ml for sperm concentration, 28% for progressive motility and 5% for sperm morphology. Using ROC analysis, cut-off values were 34 x 10(6)/ml, 45% and 10% respectively. Cut-off values for normality were different from those described in the WHO guidelines. Routine bacterial and non- bacterial cultures turned out to be of little prognostic value.
Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Hum Reprod UpdateHome page
T. G. Cooper, E. Noonan, S. von Eckardstein, J. Auger, H.W. G. Baker, H. M. Behre, T. B. Haugen, T. Kruger, C. Wang, M. T. Mbizvo, et al.
World Health Organization reference values for human semen characteristics
Hum. Reprod. Update, November 24, 2009; (2009) dmp048v1.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Hum Reprod UpdateHome page
W. Ombelet, I. Cooke, S. Dyer, G. Serour, and P. Devroey
Infertility and the provision of infertility medical services in developing countries
Hum. Reprod. Update, November 1, 2008; 14(6): 605 - 621.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Biol. Reprod.Home page
G. Cavallini, A. Crippa, M. C. Magli, N. Cavallini, A. P. Ferraretti, and L. Gianaroli
A Study to Sustain the Hypothesis of the Multiple Genesis of Oligoasthenoteratospermia in Human Idiopathic Infertile Males
Biol Reprod, October 1, 2008; 79(4): 667 - 673.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J AndrolHome page
J. C. Boxmeer, M. Smit, R. F. Weber, J. Lindemans, J. C. Romijn, M. J. Eijkemans, N. S. Macklon, and R. P. Steegers-Theunissen
Seminal Plasma Cobalamin Significantly Correlates With Sperm Concentration in Men Undergoing IVF or ICSI Procedures
J Androl, July 1, 2007; 28(4): 521 - 527.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J AndrolHome page
M. A. Arap, F. C. Vicentini, M. Cocuzza, J. Hallak, K. Athayde, A. M. Lucon, S. Arap, and M. Srougi
Late Hormonal Levels, Semen Parameters, and Presence of Antisperm Antibodies in Patients Treated for Testicular Torsion
J Androl, July 1, 2007; 28(4): 528 - 532.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Hum ReprodHome page
I.M. Agbaje, D.A. Rogers, C.M. McVicar, N. McClure, A.B. Atkinson, C. Mallidis, and S.E.M. Lewis
Insulin dependant diabetes mellitus: implications for male reproductive function
Hum. Reprod., July 1, 2007; 22(7): 1871 - 1877.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Hum Mol GenetHome page
A. N. Yatsenko, A. Roy, R. Chen, L. Ma, L. J. Murthy, W. Yan, D. J. Lamb, and M. M. Matzuk
Non-invasive genetic diagnosis of male infertility using spermatozoal RNA: KLHL10mutations in oligozoospermic patients impair homodimerization
Hum. Mol. Genet., December 1, 2006; 15(23): 3411 - 3419.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Hum ReprodHome page
M. Sergerie, G. Laforest, L. Bujan, F. Bissonnette, and G. Bleau
Sperm DNA fragmentation: threshold value in male fertility
Hum. Reprod., December 1, 2005; 20(12): 3446 - 3451.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Hum ReprodHome page
J. W. van der Steeg, P. Steures, P. G.A. Hompes, M. J.C. Eijkemans, F. van der Veen, and B. W.J. Mol
Investigation of the infertile couple: a basic fertility work-up performed within 12 months of trying to conceive generates costs and complications for no particular benefit
Hum. Reprod., October 1, 2005; 20(10): 2672 - 2674.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Hum ReprodHome page
J. L. Marmar and S. Benoff
The safety of ultrasonically guided testis aspiration biopsies and efficacy of use to predict varicocelectomy outcome
Hum. Reprod., August 1, 2005; 20(8): 2279 - 2288.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Hum ReprodHome page
L. P. Ly, P. Y. Liu, and D. J. Handelsman
Rates of suppression and recovery of human sperm output in testosterone-based hormonal contraceptive regimens
Hum. Reprod., June 1, 2005; 20(6): 1733 - 1740.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Hum ReprodHome page
C. C. Hunault, J. S.E. Laven, I. A.J. van Rooij, M. J.C. Eijkemans, E. R. te Velde, and J. D. F. Habbema
Prospective validation of two models predicting pregnancy leading to live birth among untreated subfertile couples
Hum. Reprod., June 1, 2005; 20(6): 1636 - 1641.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Hum ReprodHome page
K.K. Ng, R. Donat, L. Chan, A. Lalak, I. Di Pierro, and D.J. Handelsman
Sperm output of older men
Hum. Reprod., August 1, 2004; 19(8): 1811 - 1815.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Hum ReprodHome page
C. Alvarez, J.A. Castilla, L. Martinez, J.P. Ramirez, F. Vergara, and J.J. Gaforio
Biological variation of seminal parameters in healthy subjects
Hum. Reprod., October 1, 2003; 18(10): 2082 - 2088.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Hum ReprodHome page
W. Ombelet, M. Grieten, Ph. D. Neubourg, G. Verswijvel, L. Buekenhout, P. Hinoul, and E. de Jonge
Undescended ovary and unicornuate uterus: Simplified diagnosis by the use of clomiphene citrate ovarian stimulation and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Hum. Reprod., April 1, 2003; 18(4): 858 - 862.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Disclaimer: Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.