13 facts about semen and sperm: Composition, volume

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by Bachelor Tran Hue Tran - IVF Specialist - Reproductive Support Center - Vinmec Times City International Hospital.
Semen and sperm are two words that are often mentioned when talking about male reproductive health. However, not everyone understands these two words well, and sometimes there is confusion in their usage.

1. Are semen and sperm the same?

Semen and sperm are like squares and rectangles. Sperm are part of semen and certainly not part of sperm.
Semen is the white fluid that comes out from the penis, that process is also known as ejaculation when sexual intercourse culminates. Sperm is the male reproductive cell and is only a component of semen, which is very important if you are trying to have children.

2. Why are the terms sperm and semen used interchangeably?

Using the terms sperm and semen interchangeably is a mistake many people make. Because they believe that sperm and semen are one.
But as explained above, these two terms are completely different and cannot be used interchangeably.

3. Is there anything else in the semen?

Semen consists of two components namely spermatozoa and seminal fluid. Semen is a product of the gonads, of which the majority are from the prostate and seminal vesicles. Semen is full of ingredients, including sugars, proteins, and even some vitamins and minerals.

4. What is the role of semen?

You know, sperm cells are shaped like tadpoles and are often referred to as "swimmers". Although sperm have a wiggly tail and tadpole-like appearance, without the help of semen to carry them away, the sperm would swim in circles.
Semen is essentially like a stream of water that helps sperm reach the egg to fertilize it.

5. Where does semen come from?

The production of semen is indeed a large and quite impressive production process. Semen is formed in a number of different places, including:
Testicles: are two small organs located inside the scrotum and make sperm and testosterone. Epididymis: This long tube is located near each testicle and moves sperm from your testicle to the vas deferens. vas deferens: This tube connects the epididymis and the urethra, the opening that carries urine and semen out of the body. The vas deferens store sperm and carry it out of the scrotum. Seminal vesicles: These sac-like glands are located behind the bladder and produce semen that forms part of semen. Prostate: The prostate is a gland that surrounds the neck of the bladder and urethra, and it secretes an alkaline fluid that forms part of semen. It also helps push semen out of the penis. Once semen is made, it passes through the urethra and out of the penis during ejaculation.

6. How much semen does each ejaculation contain?

One teaspoon is the average amount per ejaculation in men. But there are a few factors that affect semen quantity, including:
Smoking Diet Exercise Overall Health Age is an important factor that affects semen quantity. In fact, a man usually produces the most semen in his early 30s. If a man does not have sex for several days, they are more likely to ejaculate.

7. Do the first drops of semen contain sperm?

Before a man ejaculates, several drops of semen are released that they don't even know about. These first drops of semen may contain sperm.
This is why the vaginal ejaculation method is not considered a reliable form of birth control.
In many studies, semen samples secreted before ejaculation have been shown to contain motile, active sperm.

8. Can you see sperm with the naked eye?

You cannot see sperm with the naked eye. You can only see sperm under a microscope. Because sperm are very small in size. The average sperm is only 4.3 micrometers (μm) long and about 2.9μm wide.

9. How many sperms are there in each ejaculation?

Between 15 million sperm and more than 200 million sperm per milliliter (ml) of semen is considered a normal sperm count.
There are many factors that can affect sperm count, from problems anywhere along the reproductive system, medical conditions to your lifestyle, even your living environment.

10. How long do sperm live?

How long sperm can live depends on where it comes in contact when it leaves the penis.
Sperm entering the vagina warm and safe can live up to 5 days thanks to the protective effect of cervical mucus. The fluid in a woman's reproductive tract has all the nutrients the sperm needs to survive that time.
Once inside a woman's reproductive tract, sperm cells must swim through the cervix and into the uterus to reach the fallopian tubes and meet the woman's egg. It is a very long journey and there are very few cells that survive to reach the destination.
For sperm that are secreted out of a woman's vagina, the chances that the sperm will survive for a long time there are quite low, usually only a few minutes, especially if they come into contact with a cold, dry surface, like the floor of a room. bathroom, floor.
In a hot tub, sperm cells don't live long. Sperm cannot survive longer than a few seconds after exposure to chemicals and hot water.

Pregnancy from someone who ejaculated into a hot tub would be rare and even unlikely. In a warm bath that is not too hot, sperm cells can survive for several minutes. However, it is very unlikely that sperm can find its way through the water in the tub and into a woman's vagina. Pregnancy that happens this way would also be difficult, if not impossible.
However, if a couple has intercourse in the water, the chances of pregnancy will be higher because the sperm will go directly into the female reproductive tract. The outside temperature and the physical environment will not have any impact on sperm survival.
Scientists think that sperm cells can survive indefinitely once they are frozen, as long as the temperature remains stable. At such a low temperature (-196°C), the sperm cells are in an active suspension, which means that all of their essential functions have completely ceased to function.
Men freeze sperm for many reasons. Many people do so because they are undergoing fertility treatment, have cancer, or another medical condition that can affect their fertility.
Sperm freezing will allow a man to have children even if he has lost his fertility due to cancer or cancer treatment.

11. How long does it take for the body to make new sperm?

The male body is always making new sperm. The whole process from germ cells to mature sperm takes about 74 days.

12. Has the body ever stopped producing sperm?

No. Men's bodies continue to make sperm as long as they live. However, sperm quality and motility decline over time, especially after the age of 50.

13. How is sperm produced?

A male reproductive system specifically designed to produce, store, and transport sperm. Unlike female reproductive organs, male reproductive organs are located both inside and outside of the pelvic cavity. These include:
Testicles The vas deferens system: epididymis and vas deferens. Accessory glands: seminal vesicles and prostate. Penis Sperm production occurs in the testicles. When he reaches puberty, a man will produce millions of sperm cells each day.

There is a system of small tubes in the testicles. These tubes, called semi-coniferous tubules, contain germ cells that hormones - including the male sex hormone testosterone - turn these cells into sperm. The germ cells divide and change until they have a tadpole-like appearance with a short head and tail.
When a man is sexually stimulated, sperm is mixed with semen, a white liquid secreted by the seminal vesicles and prostate gland to form complete semen. As a result of stimulation, semen containing up to 500 million sperms is ejected from the penis, a phenomenon known as ejaculation.
Sperm are produced in the testes and mature while traveling from the seminiferous tubules through the epididymis into the vas deferens. Sperm cells cannot survive long once they are exposed to the air outside the body, but they can survive inside a woman for 5 days.
Through the above information, you must have understood more about the composition of semen as well as how sperm is formed? To have good sperm quality to bring success rate of conception, men should actively maintain a nutritious diet and healthy lifestyle. In the case of reproductive health problems, you should go to the hospital to see a doctor and discuss more.
Currently, Reproductive Support Center - Vinmec International General Hospital is the place to receive and handle common reproductive health problems and problems for men and women such as weak sperm, erectile dysfunction. , delayed ejaculation, IVF, difficult to conceive....
With the standards of an international hospital, the examination and treatment procedures here are always performed by a team of leading experts in the field. obstetrics and gynecology nationally and internationally, trained at leading centers in the world such as in the US, Singapore, Japan, Australia and famous fertility centers. Along with that is the condition of modern facilities, complete equipment to support the best treatment process.
Therefore, customers can rest assured when visiting Vinmec hospital.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

Reference source: healthline.com - medicalnewstoday.com