andro-test: the semen analysis for men’s health checkup following the SpermLab’s Criteria
Abstract
The assessment of semen, up to nowadays, has always been made in relation to its fertilizing ability. In our analysis, we studied semen parameters and tried to relate them to specific pathological conditions. This has led us to a pioneering approach of semen analysis. A new test that can tell a man whether his genital tract is healthy is described. This is the andro-test which is defined as the semen analysis following the SpermLab’s Criteria. These criteria are the rules for the correct assessment of a man's health through an analysis of his semen. The physiological values for human semen are defined with respect to the health condition of the urogenital system. Although these values do not refer to the fertilizing ability of semen, a healthy semen is able to fertilize, but the vice versa is not always true. This study also looks into the reasons why non specialized laboratories do not comply to the WHO’s recommendations. The difference between Andrology and Spermatology is clarified and the importance of the annual preventive andrological checkup since adolescence is described. A new classification of the morphological abnormalities based on a causal approach and new indexes describing the deviations from normal morphology are introduced. In regard to the improvement of services to promote the global health, the importance of andro-test in the clinical practice and the prevention of serious pathological conditions in men, women and children is also denoted.
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