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. 2023 Dec 25;22(2):71–74. doi: 10.1080/20905998.2023.2298048

Table 2.

Summary of changes in the 6th edition of the World Health Organization manual of human semen analysis compared to the previous 5th edition.

  Change
Term
  • Standard test → Basic examination

  • Optional test → Extended examination

  • Research test → Advanced examination

Basic Examination
  • Addition of semen odor examination

  • Categorization of progressive sperm motility into rapid and slow

  • A systematic approach to sperm morphology assessment

  • Sperm vitality is indicated if sperm total motility is less than 40%

  • Removal of terms such as normozoospermia, oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia, teratozoospermia, and necrozoospermia

Extended Examination
  • Assessment of leukocyte and antibodies are considered an extended examination.

  • Additional discussion on sperm DNA damage and genetic testing, although no clear indications are defined for both tests.

  • TUNEL, SCD, and acridine orange flow cytometry for SDF are listed as useful tests in clinical practice

Advanced Examination
  • Removal of human oocyte and zona pellucida binding, as well as oocyte penetration tests

  • Addition of seminal oxidative stress testing

  • Better explanation of the principle of CASA

CASA: computer-assisted semen analysis. SCD: sperm chromatin dispersion. SDF: sperm DNA fragmentation. TUNEL: terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (dUTP) nick end labelling.