Semen quality in spinal cord injured men: Does it progressively decline postinjury?

Objective: To determine if semen quality of men with spinal cord injury (SCI) undergoes a progressive decline as a function of years postinjury. Design: A retrospective analysis of cross-sectional data. Setting: University-based research center. Subjects: Semen quality was examined in 638 specimens from 125 men with SCI. Intervention: Penile vibratory stimulation, electroejaculation, and masturbation were used as semen retrieval methods. Routine semen analysis was performed to evaluate semen quality. Main Outcome Measures: Sperm concentration, total sperm count, and percent sperm motility were examined at 2-year intervals from men whose injuries had occurred 6 weeks to 26 years earlier. Results: No difference in any semen parameter was found as a function of time postinjury. Conclusions: Semen quality in men with SCI does not progressively decline after the SCI. Men with SCI who are considering biologic fatherhood should be advised that the number of years after injury need not be a determinant in deciding when to start a family. (C) 1998 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.