Increased current delivery and sperm collection using nifedipine during electroejaculation in men with high spinal...

Elevated blood pressure associated with autonomic hyperreflexia during electroejaculation in persons with high spinal cord injuries often prevents successful sperm retrieval. The ability of the calcium channel blocker nifedipine to reduce the effects of autonomic hyperreflexia, to facilitate greater current delivery, and to increase sperm collection was evaluated in six persons with spinal cord injuries. Ten milligrams of nifedipine given sublingually ten to 15 minutes before electroejaculation attempts helped to moderate autonomic hyperreflexia and the associated blood pressure elevations. These effects of nifedipine allowed greater current delivery and ultimately increased the chances of successful sperm retrieval in the six men. No adverse drug effects were observed.