All About Sperm
The basics of your life’s essence
What is sperm?
Like many words in the English language, the word sperm comes from a Greek root word. This word is sperma, meaning seed. Sperm or sperm cells, also called spermatozoa, are the reproductive cells found in male semen. It is essential for reproduction of humans and other mammals. In fact, millions of sperm are released in each millimeter of semen. The semen is ejaculated from the urethra of the male.
Sperm are created in the testicles starting around age eleven to thirteen. The sperm travel with a few drops of fluid through the male reproductive system. As they travel, the sperm mix with more fluid created by the prostate and seminal vesicles. Finally, the sperm are released during ejaculation, which occurs when a male achieves sexual orgasm.
The sperm cell is made up of three parts. The head contains half of the DNA of the male, and has a special penetrating tip designed to enter the egg. This tip is called the acrosome. The middle of the sperm contains the energy used to propel the sperm, and has its origins in the mitochondria. The mitochondria use fructose, a simple sugar, which is ejaculated with the sperm in the semen to create the energy necessary for the sperm’s movement. The final part of the sperm is the tail.
Function of sperm
Sperm has but one function. It is responsible for the fertilization of the egg produced by a woman. This is necessary for the creation of new life in human and other mammals.
To perform this function, sperm must be good swimmers. They must travel from the opening of the cervix at the opening of a woman’s uterus to the fallopian tube where the egg awaits fertilization. The sperm’s design is for this purpose. The head contains the DNA that creates life, the middle contains mitochondria that give energy for movement, and the tail propels the sperm to the female egg.
Mobility and life of sperm
Many people think that sperm move quickly, but they actually only move .12 inches per hour. This small movement takes over a thousand movements of the tail to perform, and the sperm must move to the woman’s egg, which is a distance of about 1.25 cm.
Sperm have plenty of time to try to get to the egg. They can survive for three to five days after ejaculation into the woman’s vagina. However, outside the vagina or a warm moist place they only live for a few hours, maybe even for a few minutes.
Difference between sperm and semen
Sperm and semen is not the same thing. Semen is the white, cloudy bodily fluid that is ejaculated from the urethra of the penis. It contains sperm. Most of the fluid of the semen is made up of secretions from the male reproductive organs. Typically, each milliliter of semen contains millions of sperm. The sole purpose of the semen is to carry the sperm into the female body to the egg, and is purely reproductive.
On the other hand, sperm is the microscopic reproductive cell that actually fertilizes the egg. Also, sperm are not visible to the naked eye, while semen is clearly visible. Semen is liquid, and is the medium that holds and releases solid sperm into the female reproductive system.
Normal Values of Sperms
Sperm concentration: 20x106 spermatozoa/ml or more
Total sperm count: 40x106 spermatozoa or more
Motility (movement): 50% or more with forward progression or 25% or more with rapid progression within 60 min after collection
Morphology (form): Should be 30% or more with normal form and shape
Vitality (life): Should be 75% or more live
White blood cells: Should be less than 1x106 /ml
Sperm analysis
Sperm analysis is important for investigating the causes behind infertility in men. It can help determine the motility of sperm. If an individual thinks he may have abnormal sperm, he can have it tested. Too many sperm in a sample or the appearance of white blood cells in the semen can indicate an infection, and more testing can confirm or deny this fact. The semen is tested after being produced via masturbation after two to three days without sexual activity. The sample can be created in a center or in the comfort of your home. However, if you do it in your home the sample must reach the center within an hour.
There are many things that can cause problems with healthy sperm and cause infertility. These things include drug abuse, smoking, and alcohol abuse. These three things can cause motility to be reduced and fertility to become an issue. If you are not happy with your sperm counts or quality, there are ways to improve it. One of the things you can do is use a supplement such as Performer5. This is one of the best ways to increase the quality and quantity of your sperm in yo
