Evaluation of sperm morphology of electroejaculates of spinal cord-injured men by strict criteria.
OBJECTIVE
To compare sperm morphology of electrostimulated ejaculates of spinal cord-injured (SCI) men with that of manual ejaculates of an able-bodied population.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
Spinal cord-injured men (n = 21) participating in a reproductive rehabilitation program and able-bodied men (n = 163) attending a male fertility clinic.


METHODS
Male fertility clinic of a university urology practice.


METHODS
Morphological characteristics of sperm evaluated by strict criteria.


RESULTS
Electroejaculates of SCI men had significantly higher percentages of small sperm heads, vacuolated sperm heads, and sperm with tail defects than found in manual ejaculates of able-bodied men. Cellular elements of nongerminal origin (white blood cells, red blood cells, epithelial cells) were also more likely to be present in electroejaculates.


CONCLUSIONS
When evaluated by strict criteria, electroejaculates exhibit specific defects in sperm morphological profile. A pervasive pattern of teratozoospermia exists that may reflect underlying defects contributing to decreased fertility in SCI men.
Sedor
J F
JF
Department of Urology, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, USA.
Hirsch
I H
IH
D004542:Ejaculation; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013082:Sperm Tail / Q000473:pathology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D014617:Vacuoles / Q000473:pathology