Basic semen examination — Specification and test methods

This document specifies the minimum requirements for equipment and critical aspects of the test methods for best practice in laboratories performing basic examination of human semen collected by ejaculation.

This document is applicable to the entire process of basic manual semen examination and also to sample preparation for Computer-Aided Sperm Analysis (CASA).

This document does not apply to the post-vasectomy assessments.

NOTE Given the medico-legal ramifications surrounding the evaluation of post-vasectomy ejaculates, the methodology in this document is in all likelihood inadequate to establish an ejaculate as being completely “clear” (i.e. no spermatozoa in the ejaculate).