OBJECTIVE: To evaluate sperm characteristics and fertilization potential in sperm obtained from nocturnal emission in men with psychogenic anejaculation. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: In Vitro Fertilization Unit, Bikur Cholim Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel. PATIENT(S): Six men with psychogenic anejaculation. INTERVENTION(S): Nocturnal emission, electroejaculation, sperm cryopreservation, and assisted reproduction technologies. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Semen analysis, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), fertilization rates. RESULT(S): In four patients, the concentration and motility of sperm obtained from freeze-thawed nocturnal emission were decreased compared with sperm from electroejaculation. Fertilization rates after ICSI using the nocturnal emission sperm were relatively low (45%). One clinical pregnancy was achieved after intrauterine insemination. CONCLUSION(S): The quality of sperm from nocturnal emissions is variable, but it can be used in assisted reproduction procedures to avoid aggressive procedures such as electroejaculation or testis biopsy.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate sperm characteristics and fertilization potential in sperm obtained from nocturnal emission in men with psychogenic anejaculation. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: In Vitro Fertilization Unit, Bikur Cholim Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel. PATIENT(S): Six men with psychogenic anejaculation. INTERVENTION(S): Nocturnal emission, electroejaculation, sperm cryopreservation, and assisted reproduction technologies. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Semen analysis, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), fertilization rates. RESULT(S): In four patients, the concentration and motility of sperm obtained from freeze-thawed nocturnal emission were decreased compared with sperm from electroejaculation. Fertilization rates after ICSI using the nocturnal emission sperm were relatively low (45%). One clinical pregnancy was achieved after intrauterine insemination. CONCLUSION(S): The quality of sperm from nocturnal emissions is variable, but it can be used in assisted reproduction procedures to avoid aggressive procedures such as electroejaculation or testis biopsy.