OBJECTIVETo establish the methods for training green-hand laboratorians in standard semen analysis and evaluating the training results, and afford some reference for internal quality control and training in andrology laboratories in China.

METHODSWe trained the green-hand technicians in standard semen analysis recommended by WHO Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Human Semen (5th ed), and evaluated the training results by assessing the trainees' performance in the examination of sperm concentration and motility by statistic analysis.

RESULTSAfter training, the coefficients of variation of the semen samples with high, middle and low sperm concentration achieved by the trainees were 7.72% and 3.38% and 4.49%, and those with high, middle and high motility were 7.82%, 8.09% and 6.62%, respectively. We used Bland-Altman's method to evaluate the consistency between the results obtained by the trainees and those by the trainers. For sperm concentration, 4.77% of the datum points were out of the 95% consistency interval, and the absolute value of the biggest difference between the trainees and trainers was 8 x 10(6)/ml within the 95% consistency interval. For sperm motility, 7.15% of the data points were out of the 95% consistency interval, and the absolute value of the biggest difference between the trainees and trainers was 10% within the 95% consistency interval. Two-way analysis of variance showed no significant differences in the results of sperm concentration and motility analyses between the trainees and trainers (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTraining in standard semen analysis significantly improved the precision of semen analysis among the green-hand laboratorians. The training and assessment methods we established proved to be effective and feasible.