Journal of the European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy

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Semen analysis workshops: 17 years’ experience

Keywords:

Examination, semen, technicians, training

D.R. Franken
Reproductive Biology Research Laboratory, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Faculty of Health Science University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa.
Correspondence at: frankendr@ufs.ac.za

Abstract

The study reports on the results recorded during a series of semenology workshops presented from 1997 to 2014. The results were obtained from training workshops that were conducted in 6 continents in 38 cities including 1124 individuals. All workshops consisted of 2 sessions namely a pre-and post-training session. Results recorded from the pre-training sessions were used as a baseline value of current knowledge. In most cases pooled fresh or cryopreserved semen samples were provided by the organizing institution. The mixed effect linear regression model showed a significant decrease in the mean scores from the pre-training scores, p < .001. Training of technicians as well as regular proficiency testing will ensure continuous communication with the referring laboratory.