THRESHOLD VALUES FOR SEMEN ANALYSIS WHO lower reference limits The WHO has published revised lower reference limits for semen

THRESHOLD VALUES FOR SEMEN ANALYSIS WHO lower reference limits The WHO has published revised lower reference limits for semen analyses.5 The following parameters represent the generally accepted 5th percentile (lower reference limits and 95% confidence intervals [CIs] in parentheses), derived from a study of over 1900 men whose partners had a time-to-pregnancy of ≤12 months. The suggested lower thresholds (subfertile values) were as follows: volume: 1.5 ml (95% CI: 1.4–1.7), Sperm concentration: <15 million spermatozoa per milliliter (95% CI: 12–16), Total sperm number: <39 million spermatozoa per ejaculate (95% CI: 33–46), Morphology: ≤4% normal forms (95% CI: 3–4), using the “strict” Tygerberg method,6 Vitality: 58% live (95% CI 55–63), Progressive motility: <32% (95% CI: 31–34), and Total motility (progressive + nonprogressive motility): <40% (95% CI: 38–42).5,7,8 These values will be looked at when analyzing the reports on semen parameters and varicocele. However, since many articles are dating back to periods even before 2000, other thresholds will also be taken into consideration. The percentage increasing or dropping of the parameters will also be taken into account in interpreting the effect of varicocelectomy as well as the concentration per milliliter.