Contribution of the Assisted Reproductive Technologies to Fertility in Males Suffering Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract

This study reviews 19 couples referred between 1990 and 1997 for fertility treatment for anejaculatory infertility in the male partner following spinal injury. Using sperm obtained by assisted ejaculation procedures, 14 of the 19 patients (74%) achieved at least 1 pregnancy. Pregnancy rates per treatment cycle were 12.0% for timed intrauterine insemination, 38.9% for gamete intra-Fallopian transfer and 19.2% for intracytoplasmic sperm injection followed by uterine embryo transfer. Choice of the appropriate assisted reproduction treatment to match the available semen quality results in a high level of success in such patients.