Semen from a male with a spinal cord injury may show a number of changes. Some of these changes may explain the decreased fertility seen for these patients. Some of the changes may be due to an increase in scrotal temperature.
Semen findings that are usually normal:
(1) volume
(2) sperm count
Abnormal semen findings may include:
(1) decreased sperm motility (especially rapid linear motility)
(2) decreased vitality with increased dead sperm
(3) increased abnormal forms (vacuolated heads, small heads, tail abnormalities, etc)
(4) increased white blood cells associated with urinary tract infections
(5) brown color ("rusty pipe")
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