Standards in semen examination: publishing reproducible and reliable data based on high-quality methodology

Biomedical science is rapidly developing in terms of more transparency, openness and reproducibility of scientific publications. This is even more important for all studies that are based on results from basic semen examination. Recently two concordant documents have been published: the 6th edition of the WHO Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Human Semen, and the International Standard ISO 23162:2021. With these tools, we propose that authors should be instructed to follow these laboratory methods in order to publish studies in peer-reviewed journals, preferable by using a checklist as suggested in an Appendix to this article.

Automated summary

Biomedical science is making rapid progress in terms of transparency, openness, and reproducibility of scientific publications, particularly in studies based on human semen examination. Two recent documents, the 6th edition of the WHO Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Human Semen, and the International Standard ISO 23162:2021, provide guidelines for authors to follow these laboratory methods and use a checklist to ensure the reliability of their studies when publishing in peer-reviewed journals.