Sperm retrieval by electro-ejaculation. Preliminary experience in patients with secondary anejaculation.

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Urology
• Neurology

Background:

• Spinal cord injury and diabetes can cause secondary anejaculation, impacting male fertility.
• Limited effective treatment options exist for achieving ejaculation in these patient populations.
• Electro-ejaculation is a technique primarily used in veterinary medicine.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and outcomes of electro-ejaculation in men with secondary anejaculation due to spinal cord injury or diabetes.
• To assess the quality of semen obtained via electro-ejaculation for fertility treatments.
• To determine the potential for achieving pregnancy using electro-ejaculation-derived sperm.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-six sessions of electro-ejaculation were performed on 12 patients with spinal cord injury and 2 diabetic patients.
• Semen samples were collected and assessed for quality.
• Semen was utilized for either immediate artificial insemination or cryostorage.

Main Results:

• Ejaculate was successfully obtained in 21 out of 26 sessions.
• Semen quality was adequate for cryostorage in 9 instances (8 patients).
• Immediate artificial insemination was performed on 8 occasions (5 patients), leading to one confirmed pregnancy and live birth.

Conclusions:

• Electro-ejaculation is a viable and effective method for obtaining semen in men with secondary anejaculation.
• This technique offers a potential pathway to fertility for individuals with neurological or metabolic conditions affecting ejaculation.
• Further research may explore optimizing electro-ejaculation protocols for enhanced semen yield and quality.