How reliable are results from the semen analysis?

Based on the results of a number of studies that have evaluated the reliability of semen analysis testing, it would appear that there is a significant lack of standardization in the performance and reporting of semen analyses among laboratories. A large degree of variation and disagreement exists among different laboratories performing this test, and quality control procedures are not routinely performed in a majority of these laboratories. These observations significantly impact physicians who have to interpret and compare results among laboratories, who receive patients and test results referred from other clinics, or who have to rely on reference or other unknown laboratories for semen analysis testing. (C) 2004 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.