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.