Fertility and Sterility
Volume 88, Issue 6 , Pages 1491-1494, December 2007

“Oligozoospermia,” “azoospermia,” and other semen-analysis terminology: the need for better science

  • David A. Grimes, M.D.

      Affiliations

    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint requests: David A. Grimes, M.D., Family Health International, P.O. Box 13950, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 (FAX: 919-544-7261).
    • ,
  • Laureen M. Lopez, Ph.D.

Family Health International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina

Received 21 February 2007; received in revised form 19 April 2007; accepted 19 April 2007. published online 19 June 2007.

The Greek-based terms used to describe semen-analysis abnormalities (e.g., “oligozoospermia” and “azoospermia”) are unscientific, have overlapping definitions, and are often misinterpreted. The best course is to abandon these vague and difficult labels and simply report semen analyses quantitatively.

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 Supported in part by Family Health International (FHI) with funds from the National Institutes of Health (NIH); the views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of FHI or NIH.

PII: S0015-0282(07)00971-5

doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2007.04.013

Fertility and Sterility
Volume 88, Issue 6 , Pages 1491-1494, December 2007

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