Bone mass and hormone analysis in patients with spinal cord injury: evidence for a gonadal axis disruption

The use of alkaline phosphatase as a bone turnover marker after spinal cord injury: A scoping review of human and animal studies

BACKGROUND

Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is measured as an indicator of bone or liver disease. Bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (B-ALP) is an isoform of ALP found in the bone tissue which can predict fractures and heterotopic ossification.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this scoping review was to explore the current use of ALP and B-ALP in studies using humans or animal models of SCI, and to identify ways to advance future research using ALP and B-ALP as a bone marker after SCI.

RESULTS

HUMAN STUDIES: 42 studies were included. The evidence regarding changes or differences in ALP levels in individuals with SCI compared to controls is conflicting. For example, a negative correlation between B-ALP and total femur BMD was observed in only one of three studies examining the association. B-ALP seemed to increase after administration of teriparatide, and to decrease after treatment with denosumab. The effects of exercise on ALP and B-ALP levels are heterogeneous and depend on the type of exercise performed. ANIMAL STUDIES: 11 studies were included. There is uncertainty regarding the response of ALP or B-ALP levels after SCI; levels increased after some interventions, including vibration protocols, curcumin supplementation, cycles in electromagnetic field or hyperbaric chamber. Calcitonin or bisphosphonate administration did not affect ALP levels.

CONCLUSION

Researchers are encouraged to measure the bone-specific isoform of ALP rather than total ALP in future studies in humans of animal models of SCI.

Endocrinological and inflammatory markers in individuals with spinal cord injury: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Spinal cord injury (SCI) can lead to dramatic physiological changes which can be a factor in developing secondary health conditions and might be reflected in biomarker changes in this elevated risk group. We focused specifically on the endocrine and inflammation profile differences between SCI and able-bodied individuals (ABI). Our aim was to determine the differences in inflammatory markers and endocrine profiles between SCI and ABI. We systematically searched 4 electronic databases for relevant studies. Human observational (cross-sectional, cohort, case-control) studies that compared biomarkers of interest between SCI and ABI population were included. Weighted mean difference between SCI and ABI was calculated using random-effects models. Heterogeneity was computed using I² statistic and chi-squared test. Study quality was evaluated through the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The search strategy yielded a total of 2,603 studies from which 256 articles were selected for full-text assessment. Sixty-two studies were included in the meta-analysis. SCI individuals had higher levels of pro-inflammatory C-reactive protein and IL-6 than ABI. Creatinine and 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ levels were lower in SCI than ABI. Total testosterone levels and IGF-1 were also found to be lower, while cortisol and leptin levels were higher in SCI when compared to ABI. Accordingly, meta-regression, subgroup analysis, and leave-one-out analysis were performed, however, they were only able to partially explain the high levels of heterogeneity. Individuals with SCI show higher levels of inflammatory markers and present significant endocrinological changes when compared to ABI. Moreover, higher incidence of obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis, and hypogonadism in SCI individuals, together with decreased creatinine levels reflect some of the readily measurable aspects of the phenotype changes in the SCI group. These findings need to be considered in anticipating medically related complications and personalizing SCI medical care.

A multimodality intervention to improve musculoskeletal health, function, metabolism, and well-being in spinal cord injury: study protocol for the FIT-SCI randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

A spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating, life-changing event that has profoundly deleterious effects on an individual's health and well-being. Dysregulation of neuromuscular, cardiometabolic, and endocrine organ systems following an SCI contribute to excess morbidity, mortality and a poor quality of life. As no effective treatments currently exist for SCI, the development of novel strategies to improve the functional and health status of individuals living with SCI are much needed. To address this knowledge gap, the current study will determine whether a Home-Based Multimodality Functional Recovery and Metabolic Health Enhancement Program that consists of functional electrical stimulation of the lower extremity during leg cycling (FES-LC) plus arm ergometry (AE) administered using behavioral motivational strategies, and testosterone therapy, is more efficacious than FES-LC plus AE and placebo in improving aerobic capacity, musculoskeletal health, function, metabolism, and wellbeing in SCI.

METHODS

This single-site, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel group trial will enroll 88 community-dwelling men and women, 19 to 70 years of age, with cervical and thoracic level of SCI, ASIA Impairment Scale grade: A, B, C, or D, 6 months or later after an SCI. Participants randomized to the multimodality intervention will undergo 16 weeks of home-based FES-LC and AE training plus testosterone undecanoate. Testosterone undecanoate injections will be administered by study staff in clinic or by a visiting nurse in the participant's home. The control group will receive 16 weeks of home-based FES-LC and AE exercise plus placebo injections. The primary outcome of this trial is peak aerobic capacity, measured during an incremental exercise testing protocol. Secondary outcomes include whole body and regional lean and adipose tissue mass; muscle strength and power; insulin sensitivity, lipids, and inflammatory markers; SCI functional index and wellbeing (mood, anxiety, pain, life satisfaction and depressive symptoms); and safety.

DISCUSSION

We anticipate that a multimodality intervention that simultaneously addresses multiple physiological impairments in SCI will result in increased aerobic capacity and greater improvements in other musculoskeletal, metabolic, functional and patient-reported outcomes compared to the control intervention. The findings of this study will have important implications for improving the care of people living with an SCI.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov :  ( NCT03576001 ). Prospectively registered: July 3, 2018.

Neurogenic Obesity and Skeletal Pathology in Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in dramatic changes in body composition, with lean mass decreasing and fat mass increasing in specific regions that have important cardiometabolic implications. Accordingly, the recent Consortium for Spinal Cord Medicine (CSCM) released clinical practice guidelines for cardiometabolic disease (CMD) in SCI recommending the use of compartmental modeling of body composition to determine obesity in adults with SCI. This recommendation is guided by the fact that fat depots impact metabolic health differently, and in SCI adiposity increases around the viscera, skeletal muscle, and bone marrow. The contribution of skeletal muscle atrophy to decreased lean mass is self-evident, but the profound loss of bone is often less appreciated due to methodological considerations. General-population protocols for dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) disregard assessment of the sites of greatest bone loss in SCI, but the International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) recently released an official position on the use of DXA to diagnose skeletal pathology in SCI. In this review, we discuss the recent guidelines regarding the evaluation and monitoring of obesity and bone loss in SCI. Then we consider the possible interactions of obesity and bone, including emerging evidence suggesting the possible influence of metabolic, autonomic, and endocrine function on bone health in SCI.

Lifestyle modifications and pharmacological approaches to improve sexual function and satisfaction in men with spinal cord injury: a narrative review

STUDY DESIGN

A narrative review describing various components of sexual dysfunction in men with spinal cord injury (SCI), as well as addressing potential therapeutic approaches.

OBJECTIVES

Restoration of sexual function is considered one of the most important health priorities for individuals with SCI. The purpose of this review is to provide information regarding the factors that are less appreciated when considering changes to sexual function in men with SCI. We also propose therapeutic approaches, with a focus on lifestyle modifications, which have been shown to improve sexual function.

METHODS

A literature search was performed and limited evidence for therapeutic approaches in individuals with SCI was supplemented by consistent findings from the able-bodied population.

RESULTS

We evaluated the less addressed factors known to contribute to sexual dysfunction in men with SCI, including hormonal influences (i.e., testosterone deficiency, thyroid hormone, and cortisol), psychological factors (i.e., pain, fatigue, depression, and body image), and secondary SCI complications (i.e., urinary tract infection, pressure sores, and autonomic dysreflexia). To address these factors beyond standard medical treatments for sexual dysfunction, options include physical activity/exercise, diet, and specific medications for symptom relief (i.e., testosterone replacement therapy and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for depression).

CONCLUSIONS

Physical activity's potential application, efficacy across multiple aspects of sexuality, and the lack of side effects, suggests that long-term exercise is a viable solution to directly or indirectly improve sexual function in males with SCI. Diet and supplemental medications may further promote body composition changes, which more broadly affect sexuality.

Prevention and management of osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures in persons with a spinal cord injury or disorder: A systematic scoping review

Objectives: The primary objective was to review the literature regarding methodologies to assess fracture risk, to prevent and treat osteoporosis and to manage osteoporotic fractures in SCI/D.Study Design: Scoping review.Settings/Participants: Human adult subjects with a SCI/D.Outcome measures: Strategies to identify persons with SCI/D at risk for osteoporotic fractures, nonpharmacological and pharmacological therapies for osteoporosis and management of appendicular fractures.Results: 226 articles were included in the scoping review. Risk of osteoporotic fractures in SCI is predicted by a combination of DXA-defined low BMD plus clinical and demographic characteristics. Screening for secondary causes of osteoporosis, in particular hyperparathyroidism, hyperthyroidism, vitamin D insufficiency and hypogonadism, should be considered. Current antiresorptive therapies for treatment of osteoporosis have limited efficacy. Use of surgery to treat fractures has increased and outcomes are good and comparable to conservative treatment in most cases. A common adverse event following fracture was delayed healing.Conclusions: Most of the research in this area is limited by small sample sizes, weak study designs, and significant variation in populations studied. Future research needs to address cohort definition and study design issues.

Periostin and sclerostin levels in individuals with spinal cord injury and their relationship with bone mass, bone turnover, fracture and osteoporosis status

BACKGROUND

Spinal cord injury (SCI) induces an acute alteration in bone metabolism. Although the aetiology of the bone disturbances is not precisely known, immobilisation reduces mechanical loading and the morphology of osteocytes, which are the primary mechanosensors. Periostin and sclerostin are secreted mostly by osteocytes and are involved in bone's mechanical response.

OBJECTIVE

The present study was conducted to determine whether individuals with SCI present alterations in serum periostin and sclerostin and to assess their relationships with bone mineral density, bone turnover markers, fracture status, time since injury, densitometric osteoporosis and paraplegic vs. tetraplegic status.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

One hundred and thirty-one individuals with SCI (96 males and 35 females; 42.8 ± 13.7 yr old) with a mean 14.2 ± 12.1 years since the time of injury were evaluated and compared with 40 able-bodied controls in a cross-sectional study. Periostin and sclerostin were assayed by ELISA from Biomedica® (Vienna, Austria), and bone turnover markers and areal bone mineral density (aBMD) were concomitantly analysed.

RESULTS

Compared with controls, individuals with SCI presented higher periostin (p < 0.01), lower sclerostin (p < 0.001), similar markers of bone turnover levels and lower aBMD at the hip. Compared with chronic individuals, bone turnover markers, sclerostin excepted, values were higher as well as aBMD at hip in individuals with acute SCI. Moreover, the aBMD differences were more marked in tetraplegic than paraplegic individuals. Bone mineral density, fracture status, densitometric osteoporosis and paraplegia vs. tetraplegia did not seem to substantially influence the values of biological markers, sclerostin excepted.

CONCLUSION

This study showed for the first time that individuals with SCI presented higher periostin levels than healthy controls only during the acute phase. Conversely, sclerostin levels are lower whatever the post-injury time. Fractures and densitometric osteoporosis were not associated with differences in these two biological markers, whereas paraplegia vs. tetraplegia and fragility fracture status seemed to influence sclerostin levels only.

Bone Mineral Density Testing in Spinal Cord Injury: 2019 ISCD Official Position

Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes rapid osteoporosis that is most severe below the level of injury. More than half of those with motor complete SCI will experience an osteoporotic fracture at some point following their injury, with most fractures occurring at the distal femur and proximal tibia. These fractures have devastating consequences, including delayed union or nonunion, cellulitis, skin breakdown, lower extremity amputation, and premature death. Maintaining skeletal integrity and preventing fractures is imperative following SCI to fully benefit from future advances in paralysis cure research and robotic-exoskeletons, brain computer interfaces and other evolving technologies. Clinical care has been previously limited by the lack of consensus derived guidelines or standards regarding dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry-based diagnosis of osteoporosis, fracture risk prediction, or monitoring response to therapies. The International Society of Clinical Densitometry convened a task force to establish Official Positions for bone density assessment by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in individuals with SCI of traumatic or nontraumatic etiology. This task force conducted a series of systematic reviews to guide the development of evidence-based position statements that were reviewed by an expert panel at the 2019 Position Development Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The resulting the International Society of Clinical Densitometry Official Positions are intended to inform clinical care and guide the diagnosis of osteoporosis as well as fracture risk management of osteoporosis following SCI.

Effectiveness of two vitamin D3 repletion protocols on the vitamin D status of adults with a recent spinal cord injury undergoing inpatient rehabilitation: a prospective case series

Study design

Prospective case series.

Objectives

To assess the effectiveness and safety of two vitamin D₃ repletion protocols given to individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Setting

Publicly-funded intensive inpatient rehabilitation center, Montreal, Canada.

Methods

Thirty adults with recent SCI complete or incomplete sensorimotor impairments were recruited upon admission from designated regional SCI trauma centers. Participants with serum 25OHD ≤ 30 nmol/L were given 10,000 IU of weekly and 1000 IU of daily vitamin D₃ for 36.8 ± 11.9 days (higher dose: HD). Subjects with serum 25OHD > 30 nmol/L received 1000 IU of daily vitamin D₃ for 38.2 ± 11.6 days (lower dose: LD). Outcomes were changes in 25OHD levels from baseline to the end of the study period and safety outcomes. Thresholds for vitamin D deficiency, insufficiency and sufficiency were: 25OHD levels ≤30 nmol/L, 30-74 nmol/L, and ≥75 nmol/L.

Results

At baseline, 34 and 66% of participants had serum 25OHD < 30 and >30 nmol/L. Both protocols induced a rise in serum 25OHD with a greater increase in the HD vs. LD regimen (31.4 [95% CI: 16.7, 46.0] vs. 11.7 nmol/L [95% CI: 2.2, 21.2]). None of the participants given the HD remained vitamin D deficient, but only one achieved vitamin D sufficiency. Nearly all individuals on the LD regimen remained vitamin D insufficient with only two reaching vitamin D sufficiency. No adverse effects were observed over the course of the supplementation.

Conclusions

Although 1000 IU of daily vitamin D₃ alone or in combination with weekly 10,000 IU for an average of 37.6 days increased serum 25OHD, they were unsuccessful in improving the impaired vitamin D status during inpatient rehabilitation of individuals with a recent SCI.

Spina Bifida Health-care Guidelines for Men's Health

Spina bifida has traditionally been regarded as a pediatric health issue with little regard to adult consequences of the disorder. The congenital neurologic and urologic anomalies, as well as sequelae of bladder management, can have a profound impact on adult male sexual function. Abnormalities in testicular descent, development, and function; fertility; penile sensation; erectile function; ejaculatory function; and orgasmic function are common. Prostate cancer has been diagnosed in men with spina bifida, but little data are available to guide screening, diagnosis, and treatment efforts. The Spina Bifida Association has supported development of guidelines for health care providers to address male health issues in individuals with spina bifida throughout their lives.

Daily parathyroid hormone administration enhances bone turnover and preserves bone structure after severe immobilization-induced bone loss

Immobilization, as a result of motor‐complete spinal cord injury (SCI), is associated with severe osteoporosis. Whether parathyroid hormone (PTH) administration would reduce bone loss after SCI remains unclear. Thus, female mice underwent sham or surgery to produce complete spinal cord transection. PTH (80 μg/kg) or vehicle was injected subcutaneously (SC) daily starting on the day of surgery and continued for 35 days. Isolated tibias and femurs were examined by microcomputed tomography scanning (micro‐CT) and histology and serum markers of bone turnover were measured. Micro‐CT analysis of tibial metaphysis revealed that the SCI‐vehicle animals exhibited 49% reduction in fractional trabecular bone volume and 18% in trabecular thickness compared to sham‐vehicle controls. SCI‐vehicle animals also had 15% lower femoral cortical thickness and 16% higher cortical porosity than sham‐vehicle counterparts. Interestingly, PTH administration to SCI animals restored 78% of bone volume, increased connectivity to 366%, and lowered structure model index by 10% compared to sham‐vehicle animals. PTH further favorably attenuated femoral cortical bone loss to 5% and prevented the SCI‐associated cortical porosity. Histomorphometry evaluation of femurs of SCI‐vehicle animals demonstrated a marked 49% and 38% decline in osteoblast and osteoclast number, respectively, and 35% reduction in bone formation rate. In contrast, SCI‐PTH animals showed preserved osteoblast and osteoclast numbers and enhanced bone formation rate. Furthermore, SCI‐PTH animals had higher levels of bone formation and resorption markers than either SCI‐ or sham‐vehicle groups. Collectively, these findings suggest that intermittent PTH receptor activation is an effective therapeutic strategy to preserve bone integrity after severe immobilization.

Testosterone Plus Finasteride Prevents Bone Loss without Prostate Growth in a Rodent Spinal Cord Injury Model

We have reported that testosterone-enanthate (TE) prevents the musculoskeletal decline occurring acutely after spinal cord injury (SCI), but results in a near doubling of prostate mass. Our purpose was to test the hypothesis that administration of TE plus finasteride (FIN; type II 5α-reductase inhibitor) would prevent the chronic musculoskeletal deficits in our rodent severe contusion SCI model, without inducing prostate enlargement. Forty-three 16-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats received: 1) SHAM surgery (T₉ laminectomy); 2) severe (250 kdyne) contusion SCI; 3) SCI+TE (7.0 mg/week, intramuscular); or 4) SCI+TE+FIN (5 mg/kg/day, subcutaneous). At 8 weeks post-surgery, SCI animals exhibited reduced serum testosterone and levator ani/bulbocavernosus (LABC) muscle mass, effects that were prevented by TE. Cancellous and cortical (periosteal) bone turnover (assessed by histomorphometry) were elevated post-SCI, resulting in reduced distal femur cancellous and cortical bone mass (assessed by microcomputed tomography). TE treatment normalized cancellous and cortical bone turnover and maintained cancellous bone mass at the level of SHAM animals, but produced prostate enlargement. FIN coadministration did not inhibit the TE-induced musculoskeletal effects, but prevented prostate growth. Neither drug regimen prevented SCI-induced cortical bone loss, although no differences in whole bone strength were present among groups. Our findings indicate that TE+FIN prevented the chronic cancellous bone deficits and LABC muscle loss in SCI animals without inducing prostate enlargement, which provides a rationale for the inclusion of TE+FIN in multimodal therapeutic interventions intended to alleviate the musculoskeletal decline post-SCI.

Vitamin D and spinal cord injury: should we care?

STUDY DESIGN

Narrative review.

OBJECTIVES

This review provides an overview of the etiological factors and consequences of vitamin D insufficiency in relation to spinal cord injury (SCI) as well as important considerations for vitamin D supplementation.

SETTING

Montreal, Canada.

METHODS

Literature search.

RESULTS

Vitamin D insufficiency is common in SCI individuals owing to the presence of many contributing factors including limited sun exposure and intake, use of medication and endocrine perturbations. Although there are several biological plausible mechanisms by which vitamin D may act upon musculoskeletal and cardiometabolic health, the impact of vitamin D insufficiency on such systems remains ill defined in SCI. In the absence of guidelines for the management of vitamin D insufficiency in this high-risk population and in an attempt to provide clinical guidance, considerations for vitamin D supplementation such as the type of vitamin D, dosing regimens and toxicity are discussed and tentative recommendations suggested with particular reference to issues faced by SCI patients.

CONCLUSION

Although high rates of vitamin D insufficiency are encountered in SCI individuals, its consequences and the amount of vitamin D required to prevent insufficiency are still unknown, indicating a need for more intervention studies with well-defined outcome measures. Routine screening and monitoring of vitamin D as well as treatment of suboptimal status should be instituted in both acute and chronic setting. The close interactions between vitamin D and related bone minerals should be kept in mind when supplementing SCI individuals, and practices should be individualized with clinical conditions.

Association between 25(OH)-vitamin D and testosterone levels: Evidence from men with chronic spinal cord injury

OBJECTIVE

As an independent linear association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and testosterone levels is controversial, this study aimed to explore this topic in men with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI), who exhibit a high prevalence of both androgen and vitamin D deficiency.

DESIGN

Forty-nine men with chronic SCI consecutively admitted to a rehabilitation program underwent clinical/biochemical evaluations.

RESULTS

Deficiency of 25(OH)D (<20 ng/mL) was found in 36 patients (73.5%). They exhibited significantly lower total testosterone and free testosterone levels, higher parathyroid hormone (PTH) and HOMA-IR, a poorer functional independence degree, and were engaged in poorer weekly leisure time physical activity (LTPA). Significant correlates of 25(OH)D levels were: total testosterone, free testosterone, PTH, functional independence degree and weekly LTPA. At the linear regression models, lower 25(OH)D levels were associated with both lower total and free testosterone after adjustment for age, smoking, alcohol consumption, comorbidities and HOMA-IR. However, after full adjustment, also including functional independence degree, BMI and LTPA, only the association of lower 25(OH)D with lower free testosterone was still significant.

CONCLUSION

In men with SCI, 25(OH)D correlates with total and free testosterone and exhibits an independent linear association with free testosterone. Regardless of this independent link, hypovitaminosis D and androgen deficiency are markers of poor health, sharing common risk factors to take into account in the rehabilitative approach to patients with SCI.

Effects of leptin on femoral fracture in rats

In this study, our objective was to evaluate effects of leptin on fracture healing in rats. Seventy two male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomized into 3 groups. Standardized femoral fractures were created in all the rats. Group A was treated with 1 mL normal saline (NS), group B with 0.3 μg/kg leptin in 1 mL NS, and group C with 0.5 μg/kg leptin in 1 mL NS for 2 weeks intraperitoneally. Each group was divided into three subgroups including 8 rats for evaluation at 2, 4 and 8 weeks. Radiological evaluation showed that callus formation of group B and C was all significantly higher than group A at 8 weeks (P=0.04 and P=0.013, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference in fracture healing between group B and group C at 8 weeks (P=0.197). Histological evaluation revealed fracture healing of group B and C was better than group A at 4 weeks (P=0.01 and P=0.002, respectively) and 8 weeks (P=0.008 and P=0.003, respectively). Micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT) analysis demonstrated that greater amounts of bony callus and evidence of bone fusion were observed in group B and C at 4 weeks (P=0.02 and P=0.04, respectively) and 8 weeks (P=0.005 and P=0.001, respectively) compared to group A. Group C also had better fracture healing than group B at 8 weeks (P=0.01). In conclusion, leptin has a positive effect on rat femoral fracture healing.

Serum leptin, bone mineral density and the healing of long bone fractures in men with spinal cord injury

Previously reported fracture rates in patients with spinal cord injury range from 1% to 20%. However, the exact role of spinal cord injury in bone metabolism has not yet been clarified. In order to investigate the effects of serum leptin and bone mineral density on the healing of long bone fractures in men with spinal cord injury, 15 male SCI patients and 15 matched controls were involved in our study. The outcome indicated that at 4 and 8 weeks after bone fracture, callus production in patients with spinal cord injury was lower than that in controls. Besides, bone mineral density was significantly reduced at 2, 4 and 8 weeks. In addition, it was found that at each time point, patients with spinal cord injury had significantly higher serum leptin levels than controls and no association was found between serum leptin level and bone mineral density of lumbar vertebrae. Moreover, bone mineral density was positively correlated with bone formation in both of the groups. These findings suggest that in early phases i.e. week 4 and 8, fracture healing was impaired in patients with spinal cord injury and that various factors participated in the complicated healing process, such as hormonal and mechanical factors.

Male fertility following spinal cord injury: an update

Spinal cord injury (SCI) occurs most often in young men at the peak of their reproductive health. The majority of men with SCI cannot father children naturally. Three major complications contribute to infertility in men with SCI: erectile dysfunction, ejaculatory dysfunction, and abnormal semen quality. Erectile dysfunction can be managed by regimens available to the general population, including oral administration of phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors, intracavernosal injections, vacuum devices, and penile prostheses. Semen may be obtained from anejaculatory men with SCI via the medically assisted ejaculation methods of penile vibratory stimulation (PVS) or electroejaculation (EEJ). Sperm retrieval is also possible via prostate massage or surgical sperm retrieval. Most men with SCI have abnormal semen quality characterized by normal sperm concentrations but abnormally low sperm motility and viability. Accessory gland dysfunction has been proposed as the cause of these abnormalities. Leukocytospermia is evident in most SCI patients. Additionally, elevated concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines and elevated concentrations of inflammasome components are found in their semen. Neutralization of these constituents has resulted in improved sperm motility. There is a recent and alarming trend in the management of infertility in couples with SCI male partners. Although many men with SCI have sufficient motile sperm in their ejaculates for attempting intrauterine insemination (IUI) or even intravaginal insemination, surgical sperm retrieval is often introduced as the first and only sperm retrieval method for these couples. Surgical sperm retrieval commits the couple to the most advanced, expensive, and invasive method of assisted conception: in vitro fertilization with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI). Couples should be informed of all options, including semen retrieval by PVS or EEJ. Intravaginal insemination or IUI should be considered when indicated.