Sperm morphology assessment in the era of intracytoplasmic sperm injection: reliable results require focus on standardization, quality control, and training
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Semen analysis is the first, and frequently, the only step in the evaluation of male fertility. Although the laboratory procedures are conducted according to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, semen analysis and especially sperm morphology assessment is very difficult to standardize and obtain reproducible results. This is mainly due to the highly subjective nature of their evaluation. ICSI is the choice of treatment when sperm morphology is severely abnormal (teratozoospermic). Hence, the standardization of laboratory protocols for sperm morphology evaluation represents a fundamental step to ensure reliable, accurate and consistent laboratory results that avoid misdiagnoses and inadequate treatment of the infertile patient. This article aims to promote standardized laboratory procedures for an accurate evaluation of sperm morphology, including the establishment of quality control and quality assurance policies. Additionally, the clinical importance of sperm morphology results in assisted reproductive outcomes is discussed, along with the clinical management of teratozoospermic patients.
Date Issued
2021-06-17
Date Acceptance
2021-05-09
Citation
World Journal of Mens Health, 2021, 40 (3), pp.347-360
ISSN
2287-4208
Publisher
Korean Society for Sexual Medicine and Andrology
Start Page
347
End Page
360
Journal / Book Title
World Journal of Mens Health
Volume
40
Issue
3
Copyright Statement
© 2022 Korean Society for Sexual Medicine and Andrology. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
License URL
Identifier
https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000705335800001&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
Subjects
Science & Technology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Andrology
Health Care Sciences & Services
Urology & Nephrology
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Abnormality
teratozoospermia
Morphology
stain
Sperm
SEMEN PARAMETERS
HUMAN SPERMATOZOA
MALE-INFERTILITY
STRICT CRITERIA
KARTAGENERS-SYNDROME
FERTILIZATION RATES
CIGARETTE-SMOKING
DNA FRAGMENTATION
ACROSOME REACTION
PREDICTIVE-VALUE
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2021-06-17