Effect of repeated ejaculation on semen quality in spinal cord injured men

PURPOSE: We evaluate the effect of repeated ejaculations on semen quality in spinal cord injured men.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 19 spinal cord injured men with anejaculation. Semen was obtained by penile vibratory stimulation in the clinic and patients were instructed in the technique. Optimized vibration parameters were used (2.5 mm. amplitude at 100 Hz.). Penile vibratory stimulation was performed at least once a week for 12 months. Semen quality was examined at baseline and every 3 months during the 1-year study period. Hormonal assays were also performed at each visit. In 9 patients unilateral testicular biopsy was done at baseline and at the end of the 12 months.

RESULTS: Normal sperm counts and low motility were seen at baseline. No semen parameter significantly changed during the 12 months of repeated ejaculation. All hormonal assays during the entire study were within normal range and no significant change was observed. Of the 9 biopsies 6 (67%) showed normal spermatogenesis at baseline and no convincing qualitative changes in testicular histology were seen after repeated ejaculation.

CONCLUSIONS: Repeated ejaculation in spinal cord injured men does not change the typically poor semen quality. Therefore, stagnation in the seminal ducts due to infrequent ejaculation is not the etiology of the poor semen quality in these patients.