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Seminal fluid, is an organic fluid that contains spermatozoa.
It is secreted by the gonads (sexual glands) and other sexual
organs of male or hermaphroditic animals and
can fertilize the female ovum.
Humans, seminal fluid contains several components besides
spermatozoa: proteolytic and other enzymes as well as fructose are
elements of seminal fluid which promote the survival of spermatozoa,
and provide a medium through which they can move or "swim".
Semen is produced and originates from the seminal vesicle, which
is located in the pelvis. The process that results in the discharge of
semen is called ejaculation.
Semen is also a form of genetic material.
INTRODUCTION:
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Appearance and consistency:
• Semen is typically translucent with white, grey or even yellowish tint. Blood in the semen can
cause a pink or reddish colour, known as hematospermia,
• and may indicate a medical problem which should be evaluated by a doctor if the symptom
persists.
• After ejaculation, the latter part of the ejaculated semen coagulates immediately, forming
globules. while the earlier part of the ejaculate typically does not.
• After a period typically ranging from 15 to 30 minutes, prostate-specific antigen present in the
semen causes the decoagulation of the seminal coagulum.
• It is postulated that the initial clotting helps keep the semen in the vagina,
• while liquefaction frees the sperm to make their journey to the ova.
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The prostate gland contributes about 30 percent of the seminal fluid.
Seminal plasma of humans contains a complex range
of organic and inorganic constituents.
The constituents of its secretions are mainly citric acid, acid phosphatase,
calcium, sodium, zinc, potassium, Vitamin C, protein-splitting
enzymes, prostate specific antigen, and fibrolysin (an enzyme that reduces
blood and tissue fibres).
Semen also contains free amino acids, fructose, enzymes,
phosphorylcholine,. 46 to 80 per cent of the fluid is produced by the seminal
vesicles.
Basic amines are also present such
as putrescine, spermine, spermidine and cadaverine are responsible for the
smell and flavor of semen.
14. During the process of ejaculation, sperm passes through
the ejaculatory ducts and mixes with fluids from the seminal vesicles, the
prostate, and the bulbourethral glands to form the semen.
The accessory genital ducts, the seminal vesicle, prostate glands, and the
bulbourethral glands, produce most of the seminal fluid.
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15. Q: Difference between sperm and seminal fluid ?
Transport medium
Activation of spermatozoal motility
Provides nutritive substances
Transport the spermatozoa to female egg
Provides enzymes necessary to penetrate the ovum wall & fertilization
Provides fructose for energy for sperm
Lubrication
To neutralize the acidity in the female reproductive tract (Ph: 7.2-8.0)
Q: Why do sperm use fructose instead of glucose?
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18. Reason for testing :
• The most common reasons for
laboratory semen analysis in
humans are as part of a couple’s
infertility investigation and in
some cases after a vasectomy to
verify that the procedure was
successful.
• It is also commonly used for
testing human donors for sperm
donation.
• Forensic purpose
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Storage
Semen can be stored in diluents such as the Illini
Variable Temperature (IVT) diluent, which have been
reported to be able to preserve high fertility of semen
for over seven days.
The IVT diluent is composed of several salts, sugars
and antibacterial agents and gassed with co2.
Semen cryopreservation can be used for far longer
storage durations.
For human sperm, the longest reported successful
storage with this method is 21 years