Adherence to WHO 2010 Recommendations in Relation to Semen Analysis Reports in the Laboratories of West Bengal

Abstract

Background: In 2010, The World Health Organization (WHO) suggested the standards of reporting of semen analysis and the reference values. We tried to determine the adherence to the WHO 2010 standard regarding semen analysis among the laboratories of West Bengal.Methods: An observational study was carried out by collecting the semen analysis reports from different laboratories. Compliance with the WHO 2010 recommendations regarding the reporting of semen analysis and references mentioned was subsequently analyzed.Results: A total of 211 laboratory reports were collected; of which 15 were ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology)-laboratories (7%) and 196 were non-ART-laboratories (93%). More than half of the laboratories did not mention any reference values. Only 7.5% used the phrase "WHO 2010" as the reference. Only 3% of the laboratories reported all the six "important" parameters (volume, pH, sperm concentration, motility, morphology and vitality) and used the WHO 2010 references for all of them. The ART laboratories performed significantly better than their non-ART counterparts in reporting and quoting the WHO 2010 reference values. Conclusion:Even nine years after its introduction, the compliance with the WHO 2010 recommendations on semen analysis was still low among our laboratories. There is need for increased awareness for the laboratory persons in this regard.