MIAMI PROJECT RESEARCHERS PUBLISH MANUSCRIPT TITLED ORAL PROBENECID IMPROVES SPERM MOTILITY IN MEN WITH SPINAL CORD INJURY IN THE JOURNAL OF SPINAL CORD MEDICINE
Nancy L. Brackett, Ph.D., Research Professor, Departments of Urology, Neurological Surgery and The Miami Project, and colleagues, published a paper Oral Probenecid Improves Sperm Motility In Men With Spinal Cord Injury in the Journal Of Spinal Cord Medicine. Most men with SCI have abnormal semen quality even though sperm numbers are often normal. Sperm motility is typically very low, which is a condition that contributes to infertility.
Previous research by Dr. Brackett’s team has shown that inflammatory factors in the semen contribute to low sperm motility in men with SCI. This study investigated if a medicine that interferes with the formation of some of these factors could improve sperm motility in men with SCI. The results of the study showed that men with SCI had improved sperm motility after taking an oral medication called probenecid for four weeks. This is the first study to report improved sperm motility after oral medication in men with SCI. Further research will determine the optimal dosage regimen. The goal is to improve reproductive options in men with SCI. Dr. Charles Lynn, Dr. Emad Ibrahim, and Teodoro Aballa collaborated with Dr. Brackett on this research. The Craig Nielsen Foundation supported this work.