Lack of compliance by UK andrology laboratories with World Health Organization recommendations for sperm morphology assessment.
BACKGROUND
Sperm morphology is known to correlate with the probability of conception both in vitro and in vivo, but the assessment of sperm morphology in the laboratory remains problematic. The 4th edition (1999) of the World Health Organization (WHO) Laboratory Manual has attempted to improve matters by giving rigorous recommendations regarding sperm morphology assessment. However, it is unknown how well these recommendations have been implemented in practice.


METHODS
A survey of the methods used to undertake the assessment of sperm morphology during semen analysis was undertaken in 37 laboratories in the UK.


RESULTS
In total, only two laboratories (5%) were compliant with all current WHO guidelines regarding morphology assessment, including methods of staining and observation, classifying and sampling methods, and the participation in internal and external quality control programmes.


CONCLUSIONS
These results illustrate an urgent need for education and training initiatives to encourage laboratories to become compliant with current WHO guidelines for sperm morphology assessment.
Riddell
Denise
D
University of Bristol, Clinical Science at South Bristol (Obstetrics & Gynaecology), St Michael's Hospital, Southwell Street, Bristol, UK.
Pacey
Allan
A
Whittington
Kate
K
D033441:Andrology / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques; D004626:Embryology / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D005298:Fertility; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000628:therapy; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007753:Laboratories; D008297:Male; D017056:Medical Laboratory Personnel; D011786:Quality Control; D012661:Semen / Q000378:metabolism; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000473:pathology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom; D014944:World Health Organization