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

Purpose: We evaluate the effect of repeated ejaculations on semen quality i n spinal cord injured men. Materials and Methods: The study included 19 spinal cord injured men with a nejaculation. Semen was obtained by penile vibratory stimulation in the cli nic and patients were instructed in the technique. Optimized vibration para meters were used (2.5 mm, amplitude at 100 Hz.). Penile vibratory stimulati on was performed at least once a week for 12 months. Semen quality was exam ined at baseline and every 3 months during the 1-year study period. Hormona l assays were also performed at each visit. In 9 patients unilateral testic ular 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 sem en parameter significantly changed during the 12 months of repeated ejacula tion. All hormonal assays during the entire study were within normal range and no significant change was observed. Of the 9 biopsies 6 (67%) showed no rmal spermatogenesis at baseline and no convincing qualitative changes in t esticular histology were seen after repeated ejaculation. Conclusions: Repeated ejaculation in spinal cord injured men does not chang e the typically poor semen quality. Therefore, stagnation in the seminal du cts due to infrequent ejaculation is not the etiology of the poor semen qua lity in these patients.