Ejaculate is a fluid that comes out of the penis during orgasm in men. It contains sperm, which plays an important role in fertilization. However, some diseases can limit the function of ejaculate.
What is ejaculate?
Semen is produced in a man’s testicles and then stored in the epididymis. As part of ejaculation, it leaves the epididymis and passes out through the vas deferens. In this way, pregnancy can occur during sexual intercourse. For this to happen, the ejaculate must unite with an egg cell in the woman’s body. During an ejaculation, about 2 to 6 milliliters of the gray substance emerge. This has a certain, typical odor, which can, however, change. The man’s diet is particularly decisive here. After three days of sexual abstinence, the ejaculate contains about 80 to 100 million sperm. If ejaculation occurs more frequently, the occurrence of sperm also decreases. 20 million sperm per milliliter of semen is usually considered normal and healthy. However, not all of these are capable of fertilizing an egg. Instead, 20 percent are found to be immature sperm.
Anatomy and structure
Sperm production begins with the onset of puberty. Sperm, secretory fluid and skin cells are found in the slightly sticky substance. The skin cells are residues of the seminiferous tubules. As soon as the male body forms sperm for the first time, this is called spermarche. When the first ejaculation occurs, it is called ejacularche. In the fluid, the total percentage of sperm is about 0.5 percent. Each sperm follows a certain structure. It has a head, middle piece as well as tail. In the event of fertilization, the sperm eventually sheds its tail. Inside the woman’s body, sperm cells manage to survive for up to four days. In contact with oxygen, however, the cells die very quickly. Sperm cells cannot be seen with the naked human eye. Their size is about 60 micrometers.
Function and tasks
In order to produce offspring and in this way ensure the survival of one’s own species, both an egg and a sperm are required. This principle applies not only to humans but also to animals. The sperm of the male is in the ejaculate and in this consistency it can enter the female uterus. If a sperm reaches the egg, after some time it can implant in the woman’s body, and the development of the child begins. In the further course of pregnancy, abortion or miscarriage may still occur. Nevertheless, the foundations for the development of a baby are laid by the union of the egg and the sperm. The most important task of the ejaculate is thus to contribute a part to fertilization. To be able to fulfill this part, the ejaculate has a pH value of about 7.2 to 7.8. This enables it not to be damaged by the acidic environment of the female vagina and instead to move constantly. However, only one percent of the sperm in the ejaculate usually succeeds in reaching the uterus. Another obstacle is the woman’s fertility. On infertile days, the cervix is not passable for the sperm due to a mucus plug. Thus, pregnancy can usually occur only when the woman is in her fertile episode. Psychologically, men in particular often perceive ejaculate as significant. The decisive factor here is the association of semen with sexuality and pleasure, because it leaves the epididymis only by reaching orgasm.
Diseases
Sperm, in conjunction with an egg, is capable of creating life. At the same time, however, it can also carry pathogens and infect sexual partners with them. Thus sperm are carriers of the HI virus. This can cause the immune disease AIDS. Furthermore, the herpes virus can be passed on via ejaculate. Whether the sexual partner comes into contact with the diseased ejaculate orally, vaginally or anally makes no difference. However, the risk is particularly high during anal sexual intercourse, because the risk of injury is generally greater here. Herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis are other diseases that can infect other people via ejaculate.Very few women and men experience allergic reactions in contact with semen. The only way to protect against sexually transmitted diseases is to use condoms during sexual intercourse. Experts also discuss the possibility that sperm can cause colds. In addition to communicable diseases, there may be fewer sperm in the ejaculate than there are in healthy men. If there are fewer than 20 million sperm per milliliter of ejaculate, this is called oligospermia. If there are no sperm at all in the substance, it is azoospermia. The causes of azoospermia are very diverse. Developmental disorders of the sperm, constrictions of the vas deferens or genetic factors cause the sperm not to develop completely. Therapy depends on the underlying cause. Measures include abstaining from drugs and alcohol, as well as hormone preparations.
Typical and common venereal diseases
- Chlamydia (chlamydial infection).
- Syphilis
- Gonorrhea (gonorrhea)
- Genital warts (HPV) (genital warts)
- AIDS
- Ulcus molle (soft chancre)
