title: Semen characteristics: Advancement in andrological assessment.
abstract: Progress in diagnosis of infertility, has been dramatically increased during the past decades with changes occurring in virtually all aspects of infertility research, thus providing innovative diagnostic testing and sophisticated instrumentation for improved management and treatment of infertility. There are about 50% of infertile couples who are suffering because of male infertility. Semen examination is a basic investigation for these infertile couples. It not only reveals the quantity and quality of sperm but also the quality of the seminal plasma, which is essential for normal sperm function. In this review, the recent advancement in investigation procedures has been analyzed which are very important in clinical practice to (a) evaluate the sperm fertilizing ability (Acrosin, aniline blue, HOS), (b) characterization of male accessory sex glands secretions (Fructose, alpha-glucosidase, PSA) and (c) the management of azoospermic patients. It is believed that use of such diagnostic procedures will facilitate wide selection of patients for whom an effective therapy might be then possible.
authors.affiliation: Division of RHN, Indian Council of Medical Research, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, 110 029 New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: K K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Gaur
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Pal
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Manocha
authors.forename: Deepak
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tomar
authors.forename: Arif Azam
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Vinita
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tripathi
authors.forename: Vineeta
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Chattree
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kriplani
keywords: Infertility; Semen; Seminal plasma and Epididymis; Sperm