Fertility in men with spinal cord injury

Scientific paper - Original scientific paper

• Author: Ermin Čehić
• Author: Miro Kasum
• Author: Velimir Šimunić
• Author: Slavko Orešković
• Author: Goran Vujić
• Author: Franjo Grgić
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Medicine
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Clinical Medical Sciences

Abstract (english)

Young men comprise the overwhelming majority of men with spinal cord injury (SCI), the incidence of which has been growing over the years. Due to advances in physical medicine and rehabilitation, remarkable improvements in survival rates have been reported, leading to life expectancies similar to those of the general population. However, many sexual and reproductive functions may be impaired due to erectile or ejaculatory dysfunction and semen abnormalities, characterised by low-sperm motility or viability in SCI males who have not become parents yet. Nevertheless, fatherhood is still possible through the introduction of specialised medical management, by using various medical, technical and surgical methods for sperm retrieval in combination with assisted reproductive techniques. Erectile dysfunction can be managed by the use of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, intracavernosal injections, vacuum devices and penile prostheses. Semen can be obtained from the vast majority of anejaculatory men by medically assisted ejaculation through the use of penile vibratory stimulation or electroejaculation and via prostate massage or surgical procedures. Despite impaired sperm parameters, reasonable pregnancy rates similar to those in able-bodied subfertile cohorts have been reported. However, future research should focus on the optimisation of semen quality in these men and on improving natural ejaculation.

• Keywords (english): Humans; Infertility, Male/etiology; Infertility, Male/rehabilitation; Male; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological/etiology; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological/rehabilitation; Spinal Cord Injuries/complications
• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Original scientific paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review
• Publication version: Accepted version
• Journal title: Gynecological Endocrinology
• Numbering: vol. 32, no. 12, pp. 937-941
• p-ISSN: 0951-3590
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09513590.2016.1202231
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:105:563798
• Publication: 2016-12
• Document URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/09513590.2016.1202231
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2024-03-28 08:53:54