Prospective analysis over time of semen parameters in spinal cord-injured patients: Results of a pilot study.
inflammatory process
oxidative stress
semen parameters
spinal cord injury
Journal
Andrology
ISSN: 2047-2927
Titre abrégé: Andrology
Pays: England
ID NLM: 101585129
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
01 2022
01 2022
Historique:
revised:
20
07
2021
received:
11
06
2020
accepted:
01
08
2021
pubmed:
5
8
2021
medline:
3
3
2022
entrez:
4
8
2021
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Spinal cord injury often results in erectile dysfunction and an ejaculation along with impaired semen parameters. Fertility is a major concern in spinal cord injury adult males and some fear that the delay post-spinal cord injury may negatively affect sperm quality. We aimed to (i) assess semen parameters over time in SCI patients according to age at spinal cord injury, time post-spinal cord injury, and the spinal cord injury level and completeness and (ii) measure markers in semen for inflammation and marker of oxidative stress to investigate their impact on sperm parameters. The study is a prospective, longitudinal, pilot study over 18 months. Thirty-five men with spinal cord injury from 18 to 60 years of age were enrolled. Their mean age was 29.4 ± 6.4 years. Semen retrieval was scheduled every 6 months, allowing analysis of four ejaculates, in association with measurement of granulocyte and seminal plasma elastase concentrations to assess markers in semen for inflammation and spermatozoa DNA fragmentation to assess oxidative stress. Based on reference limits, a normal total sperm number, decreased motility and vitality of the spermatozoa, and increased morphological abnormalities were found. Mean round cell and granulocyte concentrations were elevated in the semen. Markers in semen for inflammation and marker of oxidative stress were elevated in several semen samples, compared to reference limits. However, neither the presence of markers in semen for inflammation or oxidative stress, the completeness or the level of the spinal cord lesion, the age or the time post-spinal cord injury had a negative impact on the semen quality over time. There was no significant decline in semen quality in spinal cord injury patients over time within the limitations of this pilot study. Moreover, a chronic genital inflammatory status was not associated with impairment of semen quality. The present findings are reassuring for men with spinal cord injury and could guide the management of their reproductive ability. According to these preliminary data, not all spinal cord injury patients who are able to ejaculate require systematic freezing of their spermatozoa.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
Spinal cord injury often results in erectile dysfunction and an ejaculation along with impaired semen parameters. Fertility is a major concern in spinal cord injury adult males and some fear that the delay post-spinal cord injury may negatively affect sperm quality.
OBJECTIVES
We aimed to (i) assess semen parameters over time in SCI patients according to age at spinal cord injury, time post-spinal cord injury, and the spinal cord injury level and completeness and (ii) measure markers in semen for inflammation and marker of oxidative stress to investigate their impact on sperm parameters.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study is a prospective, longitudinal, pilot study over 18 months. Thirty-five men with spinal cord injury from 18 to 60 years of age were enrolled. Their mean age was 29.4 ± 6.4 years. Semen retrieval was scheduled every 6 months, allowing analysis of four ejaculates, in association with measurement of granulocyte and seminal plasma elastase concentrations to assess markers in semen for inflammation and spermatozoa DNA fragmentation to assess oxidative stress.
RESULTS
Based on reference limits, a normal total sperm number, decreased motility and vitality of the spermatozoa, and increased morphological abnormalities were found. Mean round cell and granulocyte concentrations were elevated in the semen. Markers in semen for inflammation and marker of oxidative stress were elevated in several semen samples, compared to reference limits. However, neither the presence of markers in semen for inflammation or oxidative stress, the completeness or the level of the spinal cord lesion, the age or the time post-spinal cord injury had a negative impact on the semen quality over time.
DISCUSSION
There was no significant decline in semen quality in spinal cord injury patients over time within the limitations of this pilot study. Moreover, a chronic genital inflammatory status was not associated with impairment of semen quality.
CONCLUSION
The present findings are reassuring for men with spinal cord injury and could guide the management of their reproductive ability. According to these preliminary data, not all spinal cord injury patients who are able to ejaculate require systematic freezing of their spermatozoa.
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
120-127Informations de copyright
© 2021 American Society of Andrology and European Academy of Andrology.
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