Summary:
Results of the first large-scale clinical trial in Japan of rectal probe electrostimulation
(RPE) for spinal cord injured men are summarized. RPE was attempted on 485 occasions
in 66 patients with an age range of 19-47 years and 1 - 38 years since onset of injury.
Antegrade ejaculation was obtained in 58 patients (87.9 %). Ninety-three percent of
patients with upper motor neuron lesion-type neurogenic bladder produced antegrade
ejaculation by RPE, as compared to 63.6 % in patients with lower motor neuron lesion-type
neurogenic bladder (p <0.05, chi-square test). None of the side effects were serious.
Semen analyses revealed that the sperm motility rate was affected to an extent as
low as 16.0 %. Artificial insemination from husband (AIH) was attempted on 81 occasions
in 13 patients. On April 2, 1992, we had the first successful birth by AIH following
electroaculation in Japan followed by another successful case on July 21, 1993.
Key words:
Spinal cord injury - Electroejaculation - Artificial insemination
