First analysis of laboratory adherence in the Russian Federation to the sixth edition of the WHO laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen

Introduction. In 2021, the sixth edition of the World Health Organization (WHO) Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Human Ejaculate was presented. A spermogram is a basic examination, on the basis of which the entire further diagnostic and therapeutic process is built. Material and methods. In accordance with the checklist we developed, we analyzed the content and design of spermogram reports from 72 laboratories from 19 constituent entities of the Russian Federation, submitted by patients between September 2021 and September 2024. For comparison, a sample report presented in the 6th edition of the WHO Manual was used. Results. It turned out that only 37 out of 72 (51.4%) reports indicated compliance with any edition of the WHO Manual on the form. Only three of all analyzed reports (4.2%) had reference values corresponding to the 6th edition of the WHO Manual, 58 reports (80,5%) – to the 5th edition, 9 reports (12.5%) – to the 4th edition of 1999, in two cases (2.7%) the normative values were not specified. Completeness of sample collection was specified in five reports (6.9%). Period of abstinence was specified in 48 (66.7%) reports. Three reports (4.2%) specified the time of study start and time from sample collection to study. All 4 categories of motility were assessed separately in 46 reports (63.9%). Only 52 (72.2%) reports separately specified the proportion of spermatozoa with abnormalities of heads, midsection/neck, tail, and excessive cytoplasm. 17 (23.6%) reports contained redundant morphological categories that differed from those specified in the WHO specimens, such as «degenerative forms». Conclusion. Despite the importance of consistency in performance and reporting, there is currently low laboratory adherence to the 6th edition of the WHO Manual for the Examination of Human Ejaculate.