Comparison of intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcomes in men with spinal cord injury using sperm retrieved by electroejaculation and testicular sperm extraction methods: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND

Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) face fertility concerns due to various causes, such as low sperm quality and ejaculatory dysfunction. Consequently, different sperm retrieval techniques are used for these cases, including testicular sperm extraction (TESE) and electroejaculation (EE). Clinical and neonatal outcomes have been reported inconsistently between these 2 methods.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to compare the chemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, and live birth rate in men with SCI undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection using sperm obtained via EE vs. TESE.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study was conducted between 2017 and 2023. 37 men with SCI underwent 2 different sperm retrieval techniques. Sperm was retrieved using EE in 18 cycles, while TESE was performed in 36 cycles. Then, chemical, clinical, and live birth rates were reported.

RESULTS

Overall, 21 (38.8%) chemical pregnancies were obtained. Moreover, 19 (35.18%) clinical pregnancies were achieved. The live birth rate was 20.3%. No statistically significant differences were observed between the EE and TESE groups in terms of chemical pregnancy (44.4% vs. 36.1%, p = 0.55), clinical pregnancy (33.3% vs. 36.1%, p = 0.89), or live birth rates (22.2% vs. 19.4%, p = 0.81).

CONCLUSION

Both retrieval techniques, EE and TESE, can be applicable strategies for intracytoplasmic sperm injection procedures in men with SCI with no discrepancy in pregnancy outcomes.