According to the WHO laboratory manual for the examination of human semen (fifth edition, 2010), the lower reference limit (5th centile) for sperm CONCENTRATION in a routine semen analysis is:

• A 40 million/mL
• B 20 million/mL
• C 60 million/mL
• D 15 million/mL ✓

Explanation

The WHO fifth edition (2010) lowered the reference limits from the older fourth edition: concentration 15 million/mL, total count 39 million per ejaculate, total motility 40%, progressive motility 32%, normal morphology 4% (strict criteria), and volume 1.5 mL. The value of 20 million/mL was the old WHO 1999 cutoff and remains the single most tempting distractor in exams. Values below the 5th centile warrant repeat testing rather than an instant diagnosis of male infertility.

Reference: WHO Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Human Semen, 5th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.