Using WHO laboratory reference limits for semen analysis (5th edition, 2010), which set correctly represents the LOWER reference limit for a fertile population?

• A Volume 2.0 mL, concentration 20 million/mL, total motility 50%
• B Volume 1.5 mL, concentration 15 million/mL, total motility 40% ✓
• C Volume 1.0 mL, concentration 10 million/mL, total motility 30%
• D Volume 2.5 mL, concentration 25 million/mL, total motility 45%

Explanation

The WHO 2010 manual sets lower reference limits of semen volume 1.5 mL, sperm concentration 15 million/mL, total motility 40 percent, progressive motility 32 percent, and normal morphology 4 percent, derived from the 5th percentile of recent fathers. Indian examinations conventionally follow these figures. The older WHO 1999 values (volume 2 mL, count 20 million/mL) correspond to distractor A and are a common trap, so students must know which edition is being tested.

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

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.