Men produce semen, a thick white fluid that contains sperm cells. It has a slightly alkaline pH, and it nourishes sperm cells as they travel up the vaginal canal to reach an egg and fertilize it.
Sperm is a microscopic male reproductive cell that has one job, to find an egg and make a baby. These little tadpole-looking cells have 23 chromosomes that combine with the egg’s nucleus in a process known as fertilization.
What is Semen?
Semen is the thick, whitish fluid that men discharge from their penises during orgasm. It contains sperm cells in suspension, along with other seminal plasma liquids that keep the sperm cells viable.
These other components help the sperm cells travel (“swim”) through a woman’s reproductive system to reach an egg and fertilize it. They also nourish the sperm cells, keeping them active and motile. The sperm cells themselves are shaped like tadpoles and have a wiggly tail that helps them to navigate the tricky path to the egg, where they can deliver their genetic information.
The sperm cells alone, however, only make up about 5 percent of the total volume of semen. The rest is made up of water, proteins, vitamins, minerals and other substances. Some of these substances lubricate the sperm cells, making it easier for them to pass through the opening at the back of a woman’s vagina. Others are chemicals that help the sperm cells “wake up” and become active again when they’re ready to continue their journey to the egg.
Some of the other substances in semen are fatty acids, cholesterol, flavins, citric acid, ascorbic acid, lactic acid, protein, blood group antigens, urea nitrogen, and potassium – This part is a product of the portal team’s effort sexlovechat.com. The odor of semen may vary, but usually isn’t strong or unpleasant. A strong odor, however, can indicate a medical problem.
What is Sperm?
Sperm are tadpole-shaped, microscopic cells that make up one part of semen. They’re designed to reach and fertilize an egg, creating a new embryo. To get there, sperm travels in a fluid that’s produced by the prostate and other male sex organs, such as the seminal vesicles. Semen also contains lubricants, which help the sperm swim and reduce resistance from the female egg. It also contains nutrients such as vitamin B12, calcium, ascorbic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, fructose, magnesium, zinc and potassium.
The head of a sperm cell holds the DNA that carries genetic information, according to Nemours Children’s Health. When a sperm reaches an egg, it releases chemicals from the head portion called the acrosome that melt the egg’s outer layer and create a hole through which the sperm can enter. Once inside, the sperm’s tail whips back and forth to propel it towards the uterus and fallopian tubes.
The average man produces up to 5 milliliters of semen in a lifetime, although the production slows down after age 52, according to MedlinePlus. It’s common for men to accidentally swallow semen, especially during oral sex. Swallowing semen can lead to sexually transmitted infections such as herpes, gonorrhea and HIV. It can also cause throat cancer in some men, according to the Mayo Clinic. Men who want to avoid the risks associated with semen swallowing should exercise, eat healthy and maintain a normal body weight.
What is Semen Fluid?
Semen is a greyish white bodily fluid secreted by the testicles and carried to the vas deferens (VAS-duh-renz) through ducts and glands. It contains sperm cells, which can fertilize female eggs and create offspring. Semen also contains fluids from the prostate and bulbourethral glands that provide nutrients to sperm as they travel to the uterus.
After a man ejaculates, the seminal fluid coagulates for about 15-30 minutes and then liquefies to allow sperm to travel through the woman’s reproductive tract toward an egg for fertilization. Each ejaculate may contain 40 million to 300 million sperm. Semen contains high levels of energy-boosting fructose, and the sperm cells rely on this high-octane fuel to race their tails toward the egg.
When a health professional examines a sample of semen under a microscope, they can determine the sperm count and sperm concentration in the fluid. They can also assess the sperm’s motility and shape, or morphology. This information can help a couple decide if they need medical treatment to improve their chances of having a healthy pregnancy. Slang terms for semen include cum, jizz, spunk (primarily British English), load and nut. It is not recommended to swallow semen because it could cause sexually transmitted diseases such as herpes, gonorrhea and syphilis. Some men have also reported severe allergic reactions to eating semen.
What is Sperm Fluid?
Sperm fluid, sometimes called seminal fluid, is an organic liquid created to contain and transport sperm (spermatozoa) from the testicles and epididymis to the uterus. It contains nutrients that help sperm survive and provides the medium or fluid they swim in on their journey to reach a woman’s eggs.
Each ejaculation or orgasm produces about 1 ounce of semen. The liquid is a combination of mature sperm and fluids from the prostate, seminal vesicles and bulbourethral glands. The whitish, somewhat turbid fluid is full of protein, fructose (broken-down sugar), other enzymes and other substances that help sperm get the oxygen they need to survive on their journey. The fluid also contains glycerylphosphocholine, which is used by sperm as a source of energy. The fluid has a slightly alkaline pH and is thick enough to allow the sperm to slide through the narrow tube of the vas deferens.
Semen also contains chemicals that keep the sperm moving, including a special type of prostaglandin that blocks the female body’s natural reaction to reject sperm and allows it to slip in undetected. If sperm are unable to make it through the vas deferens, they die and are expelled from the body through the urinary tract. Sometimes the fluid will contain blood, a condition known as hematospermia. This could be a sign of inflammation, infection, blockage or injury of the testicles, epididymis or prostate. If this is the case, additional semen analysis or other urogenital system tests might be needed to determine what’s causing the problem and whether it’s curable.
