Tips about semen that men must know

Overview of semen

Semen is composed of sperm and seminal plasma, of which sperm accounts for about 5% and the rest is seminal plasma. In addition to water, fructose, protein and fat, it also contains a variety of enzymes and inorganic salts. Sperm is produced by the testicles. Seminal plasma is secreted by the prostate, seminal vesicles, and bulbourethral glands. Seminal plasma contains fructose and protein, which are nutrients for sperm. In addition, seminal plasma also contains prostaglandins and some enzymes. Normal semen is milky white, light yellow or colorless. The number of sperm per milliliter of semen is generally between 60 million and 200 million. Motile sperm account for more than 60% of the total number, and abnormal sperm account for less than 10% of the total number. Sperm motility lasts 3-4 hours at room temperature.

The amount of ejaculation for a normal fertile male is 2-6 ml, with an average of 3.5 ml. There is a negative correlation between the amount of ejaculate and the frequency of ejaculation. If the ejaculation volume is still less than 2 ml after 5-7 days of abstinence, it is considered as semen reduction; if there is no ejaculation, it is called aspermia. Seminal plasma is the medium for sperm activity and can neutralize acidic vaginal secretions to avoid affecting sperm motility. Reduced semen volume (insufficient seminal plasma) is not conducive for sperm to enter the uterus and fallopian tube through the vagina, affecting fertilization. If the volume of one ejaculation exceeds 8 ml, the sperm will be diluted, which is not conducive to fertility. This may be caused by the hypersecretion of gonadotropins by the anterior pituitary gland, which increases the level of androgens. It may also occur in those who abstain from sex for too long.

Semen contains an antibacterial substance that is comparable to penicillin - semen cytoplasmin. Experts pointed out that seminal fluid cytoplasm is a protein with unique functions. Once this substance enters the interior of the cell, it can prevent the synthesis of ribonucleic acid, thereby killing the bacteria. It has been observed from laboratory culture that seminal fluid cytoplasmin can kill a variety of pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus aureus.

Healthy semen

In order to identify male fertility, doctors often ask men to do a semen test. Normal semen color is off-white or milky white. If the abstinence period is long, it may appear light yellow or bright red. Dark red color indicates inflammation or reproductive tract injury. The amount of semen ejaculated each time is 2 to 6 ml, which is often affected by the number and frequency of semen ejaculation. Fresh semen is thick and jelly-like and should be liquefied into a thin liquid within 1 hour. Use a small glass rod to insert into the semen and lift it up. The length of the semen strands formed generally does not exceed 2 cm, otherwise it is considered abnormal. Semen is slightly alkaline, with a pH value of 7.2~7.8. The normal sperm count should exceed 20 million/ml. Mobility of semen within 1 hour after ejaculation 》=50%. The World Health Organization recommends four levels of sperm motility: Level 0: Inactive; Level 1: Sperm swinging in place; Level 2: Moderate forward movement; Level 3: Active forward movement and rapid linear movement. Normal sperm motility is level 2~3 sperm = 40%~50%. Sperm morphology: less than 50% of abnormal sperm. The analysis of male fertility cannot be determined solely from one indicator of semen. A comprehensive analysis of sperm count, motility, activity rate, liquefaction time, malformation rate, etc. should be conducted.

Judge whether semen is normal

(1) Semen volume: The normal volume should be more than or equal to 2ml (ml). If it is more than 7ml, it is too much. At this time, not only the sperm density becomes low, but also it is easy to flow out of the female vagina, resulting in a reduction in the total number of sperm, which is common in patients with seminal vesiculitis. If the total volume is less than 2ml, the semen volume is small, and if the total volume is less than 1ml, it is too small, which can easily lead to infertility.

(2) Color: The normal color is off-white or slightly yellow. If the semen appears milky white or yellow-green, it indicates inflammation of the male reproductive tract or accessory sex glands. If pink or red appears, or red blood cells can be seen under a microscope, it is bloody semen, which is common in patients with accessory sex glands and posterior urethral inflammation, and occasionally in patients with tuberculosis or tumors.

(3) Liquefaction time: After normal semen is ejaculated, it will become jelly-like under the action of seminal vesicle coagulation enzyme. After 15-30 minutes, it will turn into liquid under the action of prostate liquefaction enzyme, which is called semen liquefaction. If the semen still does not liquefy 30 minutes after ejaculation, it is abnormal.

(4) Viscosity: Use a glass rod to contact the liquefied semen, and after gently lifting it, semen strands will form. If the semen is normal, the semen length should be less than 2 cm.

Sperm abnormality symptoms

1. Anti-sperm antibodies and male infertility The main immunological factor causing abnormal sperm in male semen and infertility is anti-sperm antibodies. Studies have shown that about 5-9% of infertile men have anti-sperm antibodies in their bodies. Jingyu itself is antigenic to adult males.

2. Oligozoospermia and abnormal sperm in male semen. Infertility. Oligozoospermia means that the number of sperm in the semen is lower than that of normal healthy fertile men. In recent years, the quality of human sperm has been on a downward trend due to the influence of the environment, pollution from estrogen poisons and other factors.

3. Sperm Count and Male Infertility Currently, many laboratories use guidelines developed by the WHO 50 years ago to determine whether a man is fertile. It stipulates that a "normal" sperm sample should contain at least 20 million sperm per milliliter of semen, and at least 50% of the sperm should be motile.

I believe that the above common sense about semen will be helpful to male friends. In addition, eating more foods that can improve the quality of sperm can make a man's semen healthier.