Summary
While pregnancies have been documented through the independent use of the vibrator method (12–14,18), from other methods of procuring ejaculate from spinal cord injured men (6–12), and from artificial insemination using a retrograde specimen (3–5), we believe that this is the first case report of a live birth resulting from a retrograde ejaculate obtained by vibration from a spinal cord-injured male whose partner underwent in vitro fertilization.
Vibrostimulation may well be successful in the two-thirds of men whose spinal cord lesions are at the T10 neurological level and above, who have an intact bulbocavernosus reflex and anal tone but no pain or temperature sensation of the genitalia (17). Blood pressure monitoring, prevention of autonomic dysreflexia, alkalinization, dilution and infection control of urine, and retrograde specimen retrieval are all important techniques to ensure patient safety and optimal ejaculates.
The timing of ovulation and insemination is the crucial factor for the partner of a SCI male whose sperm quality is poor. A complete gynecological workup, including studies of tubal patency, should be done before embarking on a series of artificial inseminations. Stimulation of ovulation and well-timed inseminations should optimize the chance of conception. Depending on semen analysis, female partner factors, and emotional and financial costs, IVF can appropriately be either an early or a final option.
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Elliot, S., Szasz, G. & Zouves, C. The combined use of vibrostimulation and in vitro fertilization: Successful pregnancy outcome from a retrograde specimen obtained from a spinal cord-injured male. J Assist Reprod Genet 8, 348–352 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01133027
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01133027