Authors: Lauro S. Halstead, MD; Stephen W.J. Seager, DVM.; Pamela H. Ballard, MD; Sandeep Simlote, MD
Affiliation: National Rehabilitation Hospital, Washington, D.C.
Objective: Describe the background and experience of a male spinal cord injury fertility program (MSCIFP) and the transfer of EE from animals to treating SCI men.
Design: Retrospective review.
Methods: We describe the historical background and revolutionary developments in artificial reproductive technology (ART) in the 1970s and 80s as it relates to anejaculatory SCI men. Among these advances were in vitro fertilization (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and the practical, safe, teachable transfer of electroejaculation (EE) from veterinary medicine to human medicine We also review the evolution of EE equipment, techniques, and training of colleagues in this country and abroad.
Results: EE equipment for professional use only is FDA and Community European (CE) approved, commercially available, and widely used in many countries. Over 300 urologists and rehabilitation specialists were trained to perform EE in 52 countries many of whom now train others. This technology dissemination has resulted in numerous children being fathered by men with SCI through our program and many others and research leading to a better understanding of the fertility potential of SCI men.
Conclusions: Over the past 20 years, EE has evolved from a fledgling technique to a technology that has been successfully disseminated to many other programs and countries resulting in a far-reaching impact on our understanding of the fertility potential and success of anejaculatory SCI men in fathering biologic children.