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Updated: Aug 5, 2026
Synergetic Use of Neural Precursor Cells and Self-assembling Peptides in Experimental Cervical Spinal Cord Injury
Published on: February 23, 2015
Necrospermia and chronic spinal cord injury
C Mallidis1, T C Lim, S T Hill
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Melbourne, Carlton, Victoria, Australia. g.baker@obgyn-rwh.unimelb.edu.au
Objective:
To determine whether improvement in quality of semen over 4 consecutive days of electroejaculation in men with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) was consistent with epididymal necrospermia.
Design:
Prospective study of a random sample of men with SCI.
Setting:
A southeastern Australian SCI management center in collaboration with the specialist andrology service of a university-based department of obstetrics and gynecology in a tertiary referral hospital.
Patient(S):
Nine men with chronic spinal cord injury.
Intervention(S):
Semen samples were obtained by using electroejaculation, and testicular biopsy samples were obtained by using fine-needle tissue aspiration.
Main Outcome Measure(S):
Semen analysis was performed according to World Health Organization criteria. Testicular biopsy and electron microscopy were done by using standard techniques.
Result(S):
During up to 4 days of consecutive-day electroejaculation, sperm motility and viability in semen obtained from men with chronic SCI increased by an average of 23% on days 2 and 3. The severity of the degenerative changes and the numbers of spermatozoa affected on day 1 became less marked by day 4. The changes were not present in late spermatids obtained from testicular biopsies.
Conclusion(S):
The asthenospermia of chronic SCI is similar to epididymal necrospermia and can be improved by consecutive-day electroejaculation.
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