Semen

Volume of ejaculate mean: 3.4ml (range +- 2S): 0.2-6.6 ml.

Secretions of the glands involved in ejaculation: The volume of the ejaculate is primarily dependent on the secretion of the prostate and the seminal vesicles. The contribution of the Cowper's glans and the epididymis is small, that of the testes (including spermatozoa) even smaller. Prior to ejaculation, 1-2 drops of a clear colorless liquid, the Cowper's glands secretion, first appear. This neutralizes the acidity of the urethra in preparation for the subsequent ejaculation. Then follows first the milky prostate secretion, usually free of spermatozoa, then the part containing the spermatozoa, and finally the gelatinous, highly viscous secretion of seminal vesicles, often of a tapioca-like consistency.

Color and appearance: Milky-turbid, slightly opalescent with viscous filaments and grains resembling tapioca. The opalescence is proportional to the spermatozoal concentration.

Coagulation: Takes place immediately after ejaculation.

Liquefaction: After a few minutes, liqufication starts and is complete in about 15 minutes.

Viscosity: 6.54 at 20 C water =1.

Surface tension: 66 dyn/cm at 20 C, 52-59.5 dyn/cm at 15 C.

pH: 7.2-7.39.

Specific gravity: 1.020-1.040.

Freezing point depression: 0.56-0.58 C after 1 hour.

Electrical conductiviy: 0.0088-0.0107 mho x cm-1 (20C).

Dry residue: 10-20%, 1-2% salts, 8-10% organic matter, 2-6% proteins.

Proteins: 1.58-1.80 g.

Nonprotein nitrogen: 55-80.

Amino acids: up to100 mg/100ml includes glycine, alanine, serine, theronine, leucine, lysine, valine, cystine, proline, tyrosine, phenylalanine, aspartic acid, glutamic aced.

Ergothioeine: 1.5 mg/100ml.

Glutathione: 30 mg/100ml.

Spermine and spermidine: 90-200 mg/100ml.

Urea: 72 mg/100ml.

Fructose: 91-520 mg/100ml.

Lactic acid: 36-51 mg/100ml.

Citric acid: 96-1430 mg/100ml.

Cholesterol: 103 mg/100ml.

Phospholipids: 84 mg/100ml.

Choline: up to 2120 mg/ml.

Vitamin C: 13 mg/100ml.

Estrogens: 0.2 ug/100ml.

Phosphorus: 40-50 mg/100ml inorganic, 95 mg/100ml acid-soluble.

Cholride: 100-203 mg/100ml.

Sodium: 240-319 mg/100ml.

Potassium: 66-107 mg/100ml.

Calcium: 21-28 mg/100ml.

Magnesium: 14 mg/100ml.

Phosphatase: 540-4000 mg/100ml acid, 01.-1 mg/100ml alkaline.

Hyaluronidase: 100 units.

Formed elements (excluding spermatozoa): giant cells, Sertoli's cells, epithlial cells, leukocytes, prostate cells, lecithin bodies, Bottchers's crystals, Charcot-Neumann crystals, fat crystals, spermine phospate, testicular cylinders, corpora amylacea, mucus, bacteria.

Prostate secretion:

pH: 6.3-6.45;
SP Grave: 1.022;
Water: 92.7-93.6 g;
Sodium: 14.0-15.8 mEq;
K: 2.87-6.14 mEq;
Ca: 2.87-3.27 mEq;
Cl: 3.48-4.61 mEq.

Spermatozoa: 28-225 million/ml. 60 million/ml lower limit for fertile semen;

oval (normal form) : 89.8% mean 66-99% range;
tapering: 3.6% m, 0-24% r;
round: 1.6% m, 0-9% r;
duplicate: 1.8% m, 0-11% r;
giant and pinhead: 0.6% m, 0-8% r;
amorphous: 2.1% m, 0-12%;
In fresly ejaculated semen the spermatozoa are relatively immobile. As liquefication process motitlity increases and is then maintained constant for 3-5 hours at room tempreature. In the cervical secretion motility is increased due to presence of substances essential to spermatozoal metabolism. Rate of movement which normally motile spermatozoa move in vivo is about 3 mm/min, in vitro 0.7-0.9 mm/min. Motility 61% after 3 hours, 46% after 6 hours, 28% after 12 hours.

Author Unknown.