Anejaculation following spinal cord injury does not induce sperm-agglutinating antibodies.
Antisperm antibodies were tested for by the MAR-test and the tray agglutination test in 16 men with spinal cord injury. None of these men could ejaculate without artificial methods. Seven men ejaculated externally by vibrator stimulation or electroejaculation, while seven exhibited retrograde ejaculation; in two cases no semen was obtained. Sperm density in the external ejaculations was high (average = 405 x 10(6)/ml), with 10-45% motility. None of these 16 men had antisperm antibodies. This result indicates that anejaculation and sperm retention in men with spinal cord injury, even of 30 years duration, does not result in antisperm antibody formation.
Dahlberg
A
A
Väestöliitto, Finnish Population and Family Welfare Federation, Helsinki, Finland.
Hovatta
O
O
D000328:Adult; D000917:Antibody Formation; D004542:Ejaculation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000276:immunology*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology