Semen analysis: the test techs love to hate.
At the heart of better semen analysis is professionalism. The walls of many labs are covered with slogans like, "at the end of every test is a worried patient who needs an answer". Semen analysis is no different. At its end is a couple desperate to have a child or start a family. In spite of the importance of semen analysis in fertility diagnosis and treatment, it remains in most clinical laboratories "the neglected laboratory test". The tips and recommendations in this article should help any lab improve the quality of semen analysis while reducing the effort required to produce better results. Knowledge and simple, repeatable procedures, combined with QC and competency benchmarks, can put the interest and satisfaction back into a test that is the gateway for fertility treatment. After all, what is not to love about a cell that swims and comes in so many interesting shapes?
Rothmann
Susan A
SA
Fertility Solutions, Cleveland, OH, USA. srothmann@fertilitysolutions.com
Reese
Angela A
AA
D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques; D004496:Education, Continuing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012661:Semen; D013076:Sperm Count / Q000379:methods*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D014481:United States