Sperm, also known as semen, is a viscous, whitish liquid, composed of different secretions, produced in the structures of the male genital tract, which are mixed at the time of ejaculation.
The main function of this fluid is to transport sperm from the male’s testicles to the woman’s egg, allowing fertilization and therefore pregnancy, which ensures the reproduction of the human race.
Here are the top 10 questions and curiosities about sperm
Sperm consist mainly of a mixture of 3 different types of secretions, which occur in different parts of the male reproductive system:
In addition, it is still possible to find very small amounts of fluids produced by the mucous glands, especially by the bulb-uthral glands.
These fluids accumulate in the urethra and are then removed during ejaculation.
Sperm are constantly in production, so it’s not possible to know exactly how long it takes to produce them.
However, it is known that sperm take several days to mature before being eliminated during ejaculation, and that it can take up to 2 months to obtain a sperm considered “mature”. The testicles produce an average of 120 million sperm per day.
In the composition of sperm, it is possible to find amino acids, fructose, enzymes, flavins, prostaglandins, iron and vitamins B and C. In addition, because it contains liquid produced in the prostate, sperm also contain proteins, acid phosphatase, citrus. acid, cholesterol, fibrinolisine, protein enzymes and zinc.
The main function of sperm is the transport of mature sperm from the testicles of the man to the woman’s egg, allowing fertilization and pregnancy. However, to successfully accomplish this task, sperm also have other important small functions, such as facilitating sperm mobility, keeping them fed, and protecting them from the vaginal environment.
The smell of semen is often compared to that of bleach or chlorine and is linked to its components, because in addition to semen, semen also contains various types of proteins, enzymes and minerals. These substances generally have an alkaline pH, i.e. higher than 7, which is the same type of pH as bleach and chlorine, which is the main reason for similar odors.
Over time, sperm may experience several changes in consistency and may be more fluid some days and thicker in others. This is not a wake-up call and is quite common in healthy men.
What happens is that sperm may have more or less water, depending on the hydration of the body. In addition, there are studies that also indicate that thicker sperm typically contain a higher concentration of altered sperm that, although this may seem like an undesirable alteration, is relatively common, since more than 90% of sperm released by humans have some form of alteration. Modification. .
Most sperm components are tested and completely safe for health. Therefore, swallowing sperm is not considered harmful.
However, there are a small number of people with hypersensitivity to seminal plasma, which is a rare type of allergy that can occur after coming into contact with semen.
The taste of sperm usually remains constant over time. However, some studies indicate that a man’s diet may slightly influence taste, as is the case with most bodily fluids.
Some of the foods that seem to most directly affect sperm knowledge include cinnamon, celery, parsley, nutmeg, pineapple, papaya or orange, for example.
Normal, healthy sperm have a whitish, viscous appearance, which becomes more fluid after ejaculation. If the man does not ejaculate for a few days, the color of the sperm may vary slightly, turning more yellow.
There are cases where a man may notice the appearance of blood in semen, which lasts more than 3 days, may be a sign of some health problems such as vesiculitis, prostatitis, sexually transmitted diseases, use of certain medications, prostatic hyperplasia. or as a result of an injury, for example. In these cases, it is best to consult a urologist for proper diagnosis and treatment. Find out what are the most common causes.
To produce healthy sperm, man must
In addition, reducing stress and avoiding the consumption of alcohol and cigarettes is also important to aid in the production of hormones that regulate sperm production.
Learn how to use the male condom correctly to prevent ITS transmission.