Objective

Sperm cryopreservation can be offered to men with spinal cord injury, as only 10% of spinal cord injured men (SCI) can have a child without assistive reproductive technologies (ART). Very few studies are dedicated to the outcomes of these cryopreservations. Our study aims to analyze the outcomes of these cryopreservation, namely their use or not for an ART, and to evaluate the success rate in case of ART.

Material/patients and methods

In May 2015, we retrospectively identified all people with stable spinal cord injury sent to the CECOS ( Centre d’études de la conservation des œufs et du sperme : Egg, Sperm Embryo banking) by the department of neuroperineology based in the hospital Henry Gabrielle, for the first time between 1st January 2009 and 31st December 2013, to undergo a sperm cryopreservation of spermatozoa.

Results

In June 2015, among the 65 men surveyed, 22 had a medical consultation as a couple for an AMP. Among these 22 couples, 11 have engaged in a program of medically assisted procreation. Thirty-two trials of medically assisted procreation were realized: 5 intrauterine inseminations (IUI), 16 in vitro fecondation (IVF) with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and 11 frozen embryo transfers (FET). Eleven clinical pregnancies were obtained. Six pregnancies were completed and7 children were born healthy. Six of 11 couples had at least one child. We also analyse the spermatic parameters of the cohort of 65 men with spinal cord injury, which are similar to those usually seen in the literature (numeration conserved, but decreased spermatic volume, altered morphologies and mobilities of sperm).

Discussion–conclusion

Our study helps to assess the results of this very specific and multidisciplinary ART care, which remains largely uninvestigated, in order to optimize its effectiveness.