There are two ways sperm can be collected from a man who has sustained a spinal cord injury. One is by using the a technique called vibrostimulation to induce ejaculation and the other is by collecting the sperm directly from the testis either under local or general anaesthetic.

Collection of sperm by ejaculation

Depending on the level of the spinal lesion, semen can be collected by penile stimulation using a vibratory device (vibrostimulation). This is usually performed in the presence of medical staff on the first occasion to ensure the complication of dysreflexia does not occur.

Collection of sperm by surgical recovery from the testis

If sperm cannot be collected by ejaculation, it may be recovered surgically from one or both testes under general or local anaesthetic, a technique known as Testicular Sperm Aspiration (TESA).

Recovery of sperm from the testis using a technique called microTESE (Testicular Sperm Extraction) can be performed under general anaesthetic. MicroTESE is indicated if sperm recovery has been very poor or absent using other techniques.

Using ejaculated sperm to achieve a pregnancy

The semen collected can be used for immediate transfer to the vagina. The semen can also be washed and placed directly into the uterus of the woman in a technique called intra-uterine insemination (IUI). These techniques require sperm of good quality and of sufficient number.

Ejaculated sperm can also be used in an in vitro fertilisation (IVF) cycle, either fresh or frozen. The quality of the sperm will determine whether standard IVF or intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is recommended.

Using sperm that has been surgically extracted from the testis.

Sperm which has been surgically extracted from the testis can only be used by direct injection into the egg (ICSI). It can be frozen or used fresh on the day of egg collection.

What is the success rate?

Success depends on:-

• the age of the female partner
• if she has any other infertility issues
• the quality of the sperm
• the method used (IUI, IVF or ICSI)
• the number of previous cycles.

Success rates range between 10-42% per cycle depending on the factors listed above and the methods used.

A frozen embryo transfer, also known as FET is the process of transferring embryos that have been stored. Using frozen embryos allows you to maximise the chance of achieving an ongoing pregnancy from a single IVF or ICSI cycle. Thawing, warming and transferring a cryostored embryo allows you to achieve a pregnancy without the medical risks and costs of a fully stimulated IVF or ICSI cycle.

If possible, thawed frozen embryos are transferred during a woman’s natural cycle. However, women with irregular menstrual cycles may undergo hormone treatment to make the uterus more receptive to implantation.

What is the process of transferring cryostored embryos?

1. Before a cryostored embryo can be transferred the lining of the uterus (called the endometrium) has to be thickened to be able to support the embryo. There are a number of ways to prepare the endometrium which your doctor will discuss with you.
2. Once the endometrium is prepared, scientists will warm the embryo or embryos. This takes about half an hour, where the scientist will look at the embryo under the microscope to determine if it has survived the warming process.
3. An embryo transfer is performed in the transfer room at Care Fertility by your doctor.

What embryos are used?

Some embryos will survive the warming process, some will lose one or more cells, and others will fail to survive altogether. Generally an embryo stored at day 2 or 3 of development is considered to have survived the thawing process if half the cells or more remain after the thawing process. If fewer than half the cells have survived the scientist will thaw another embryo, if available and if you have given permission for this to occur.

If the embryo was stored at day 5 or 6 it is called a blastocyst. When blastocysts are warmed the pocket of fluid within the blastocyst (called the blastocoele) re‐expands over a period of two hours. If re‐expansion of the blastocoele is not seen the pregnancy rate is reduced.

Learn more about how Embryos are frozen and stored.

Fertility for men after spinal cord injury

There are two ways sperm can be collected from a man who has sustained a spinal cord injury. One is by using the a technique called vibro stimulation to induce ejaculation and the other is by collecting the sperm directly from the testis either under local or general anaesthetic.

Collection of sperm by ejaculation

Depending on the level of the spinal lesion, semen can be collected by penile stimulation using a vibratory device (vibrostimulation). This is usually performed in the presence of medical staff on the first occasion to ensure the complication of dysreflexia does not occur.

Collection of sperm by surgical recovery from the testis

If sperm cannot be collected by ejaculation, it may be recovered surgically from one or both testes under general or local anaesthetic, a technique known as Testicular Sperm Aspiration (TESA).

Recovery of sperm from the testis using a technique called microTESE (Testicular Sperm Extraction) can be performed under general anaesthetic. MicroTESE is indicated if sperm recovery has been very poor or absent using other techniques.

Using ejaculated sperm to achieve a pregnancy

The semen collected can be used for immediate transfer to the vagina. The semen can also be washed and placed directly into the uterus of the woman in a technique called intra-uterine insemination (IUI). These techniques require sperm of good quality and of sufficient number.

Ejaculated sperm can also be used in an in vitro fertilisation (IVF) cycle, either fresh or frozen. The quality of the sperm will determine whether standard IVF or intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is recommended.

Using sperm that has been surgically extracted from the testis.

Sperm which has been surgically extracted from the testis can only be used by direct injection into the egg (ICSI). It can be frozen or used fresh on the day of egg collection. 

What is the success rate?

Success depends on:-

• the age of the female partner
• if she has any other infertility issues
• the quality of the sperm
• the method used (IUI, IVF or ICSI) 
• the number of previous cycles.

Success rates range between 10-42% per cycle depending on the factors listed above and the methods used.

What are the costs?

Care Fertility also operates a low cost IVF unit (IVF4family www.ivf4family.com.au). Some services are not eligible for Medicare rebate (e.g. freezing and storage of sperm). Please advise if you have financial compromise. Please ask your doctor to refer you to one of the doctors at Care Fertility if you need further information or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Having embryos stored is an option to preserve fertility whether you are having treatment for cancer or rearing your first child. An embryo is made from the egg and sperm and the egg and sperm cannot be separated.

If you’ve had an embryo or embryos stored and wish to have an embryo transferred, it’s important that both the male and female partner agree with the decision to have the embryo transferred and to potentially give birth to a baby.

Learn about how the embryos are stored and transferred.