Table 1.
Lower Reference Limits of Semen Characteristics3
| Parameters | Lower reference limits |
|---|---|
| Semen volume (mL) | 1.5 (1.4–1.7) |
| Total sperm number (106/ejaculate) | 39 (33–46) |
| Sperm concentration (106/mL) | 15 (12–16) |
| Total motility (PR + NP, %) | 40 (38–42) |
| Progressive motility (PR, %) | 32 (31–34) |
| Vitality (live spermatozoa, %) | 58 (55–63) |
| Sperm morphology (normal forms, %) | 4 (3.0–4.0) |
| Other consensus threshold values | |
| pH | ≥ 7.2 |
| Peroxidase-positive leukocytes (106/mL) | < 1 |
| MAR test (motile spermatozoa with bound particles, %) | < 50 |
| Immunobead test (motile spermatozoa with bound beads, %) | < 50 |
| Seminal zinc (μmol/ejaculate) | ≥ 2.4 |
| Seminal fructose (μmol/ejaculate) | ≥ 13 |
| Seminal neutral glucosidase (mU/ejaculate) | ≥ 20 |
PR, progressive; NP, nonprogressive; MAR, mixed antiglobulin reaction.