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Semen retrieval and analysis in men with myelomeningocele
Author(s) -
Hultling C,
Levi R,
Amark P,
Sjöblom P
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
developmental medicine and child neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.658
H-Index - 143
eISSN - 1469-8749
pISSN - 0012-1622
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-8749.2000.tb00679.x
Subject(s) - electroejaculation , semen , sperm retrieval , semen quality , intracytoplasmic sperm injection , ejaculation , semen analysis , male infertility , infertility , semen collection , medicine , gynecology , spermatogenesis , assisted reproductive technology , andrology , artificial insemination , pregnancy , biology , sperm motility , genetics
The introduction of advanced assisted reproduction technologies (ART) has created opportunities for the treatment of infertility among patients with myelomeningocele (MMC). The aim of this study was to assess the possibility of semen retrieval and to analyse the semen quality in men with MMC. Nine men, aged 22 to 39 with MMC participated in the study. Two participants were able to achieve unassisted ejaculation. Vibratory stimulation was unsuccessfully attempted in the remaining seven participants who then underwent electroejaculation under general anaesthesia. In total, enough spermatozoa for intracytoplasmic spermatozoa injection were retrieved from five participants. In four cases, no spermatozoa were observed in the ejaculates. Testicular biopsies, however, revealed spermatogenesis, and thus a reproductive potential, in one of these men. Therefore, in six of the nine men with MMC, fatherhood seemed possible with modern ART, despite the semen quality generally being very poor.