WHO 2021 and 2030 reference values for semen assessment: three challenges for andrology in the journey ahead

Whilst formulating the World Health Organization reference values for semen assessment for 2021, three key challenges were identified, namely the quality of semen assessments, the transparency and reporting of data and, lastly, the paucity of studies with primary data. There is an urgent need to address these issues and we present suggested solutions that will have a real-world influence on the next iteration of the reference values for semen assessments and andrology in general.

Automated summary

This article identifies three key challenges in formulating the World Health Organization reference values for semen assessment for 2021, and presents suggested solutions that will have a real-world influence on the next iteration of the reference values for semen assessments and andrology in general.