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Semen is an organic fluid that usually contains spermatozoa. It is secreted by the gonads (sexual glands) and other sexual organs of male or hermaphroditic animals, including slugs, for fertilization of female ova. The process of discharge is called ejaculation.

Physiological aspects

Internal and external fertilization

Depending on the species, spermatozoa can fertilize ova externally or internally. In external fertilization, the spermatozoa fertilize the ova directly, outside of the female's sexual organs. Female fish, for example, spawn ova into their aquatic environment, where they are fertilized by the semen of the male fish.

During internal fertilization, however, fertilization occurs inside the female's sexual organs. Internal fertilization takes place after insemination of a female by a male through copulation. In low vertebrates (amphibians, reptiles, birds and monotreme mammals), copulation is achieved through the physical mating of the cloaca of the male and female. In marsupial and placental mammals, copulation occurs through the vagina.

Composition of human semen

The components of semen come from two sources: sperm, and "seminal plasma". Seminal plasma, in turn, is produced by contributions from the seminal vesicle, prostate, and bulbourethral glands.

Seminal plasma of humans contains a complex range of organic and inorganic constituents.

The seminal plasma provides a nutritive and protective medium for the spermatozoa during their journey through the female reproductive tract. The normal environment of the vagina is a hostile one for sperm cells, as it is very acidic (from the native microflora producing lactic acid), viscous, and patrolled by immune cells. The components in the seminal plasma attempt to compensate for this hostile environment. Basic amines such as putrescine, spermine, spermidine and cadaverine are responsible for the smell and flavor of semen. These alkaline bases counteract the acidic environment of the vaginal canal (which is harmful to sperm), and protect DNA inside the sperm from acidic denaturation.

The components and contributions of semen are as follows:

A 1992 World Health Organisation report described normal human semen as having a volume of 2 ml or greater, pH of 7.2 to 8.0, sperm concentration of 20x10 spermatozoa/ml or more, sperm count of 40x10 spermatozoa per ejaculate or more and motility of 50% or more with forward progression (categories a and b) of 25% or more with rapid progression (category a) within 60 minutes of ejaculation.

Semen and transmission of disease

The semen of a disease-free individual is harmless on the skin. However, semen can be the vehicle for many sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

It is also hypothesized that components of semen, such as the spermatozoa as well as the seminal plasma, can cause immunosuppression in the body when introduced to the bloodstream or lymph. Evidence for this dates back to 1898, when Elie Metchnikoff injected a guinea pig with its own and foreign guinea pig sperm, finding that an antibody was produced in response; however the antibody was inactive, pointing to a suppression response by the immune system.

Further research, such as that by S. Mathur and J.M. Goust, demonstrated that non-preexisting antibodies were produced in humans in response to the sperm. These antibodies mistakenly recognized native T lymphocytes as foreign antigens, and consequently the T lymphocytes would fall under attack by the body's B lymphocytes.

Other semen components shown to spur an immunosuppressive effect are seminal plasma and seminal lymphocytes.

Blood in the semen (hematospermia)

The presence of blood in the semen may be undetectable (it only can be seen microscopically) or visible in the fluid. Its cause could be the result of inflammation, infection, blockage, or injury of the male reproductive tract or a problem within the urethra, testicles, epididymis and prostate.

Further semen analysis and other uro-genital tests might be needed to find out the cause of blood in the semen.

Semen allergy

In rare cases (about 5 percent of the population) people have been known to experience allergic reactions to seminal fluids, known as human seminal plasma hypersensitivity. Symptoms can be either localized or systemic, and may include vaginal itching, redness, swelling, or blisters within 30 minutes of contact. They may also include generalized itching, hives, and even difficulty breathing.

The best way to test for human seminal plasma sensitivity is to use a condom during intercourse. If symptoms dissipate with the use of a condom, it is possible that a sensitivity to semen is present. Mild cases of semen allergy can often be overcome by repeated exposure to seminal fluid. In more severe cases, it is important to seek the advice of a physician, particularly in the event that a couple is trying to conceive, in which case, artificial insemination may be indicated.

Cultural aspects

Semen and martial arts

Chi Kung places huge emphasis on a form of energy called 'jing' - which one attempts to develop and accumulate, jing is sexual energy and is considered to dissipate with ejaculation so masturbation is considered "Energy Suicide" amongst those who practice this art. According to Chi Kung theory, energy from many pathways/meridians becomes diverted and transfers itself to the sexual organs during sexual excitement, the ensuing orgasm and ejaculation will then finally expel the energy from the system completely.

Cultural views

In some cultures, semen is attributed with special properties of masculinity. For instance, among the Etoro people of Papua New Guinea, it is believed that young boys must fellate their elders and ingest their sperm to achieve proper sexual maturation. This act may also be attributed to the culturally active homosexuality throughout these and other tribes.

According to some forms of Taoism, Polynesian beliefs, and the so-called sex magic espoused by Samael Aun Weor, the "spilling" of semen is associated with loss of power and manly strength. In over 60 books including The Perfect Matrimony, Samael Aun Weor has argued that in order to activate and harness his kundalini energy, a man should never spill his semen.

Sacred semen

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In some pre-industrial societies, semen and other body fluids were revered because they were believed to be magical. Blood is an example of such a fluid, but semen was also widely believed to be of supernatural origin and effect and was, as a result, considered holy or sacred.

Semen is currently and has long been revered by Buddhist, Daoist and Hindu traditions as a very important constituent of human physiology.

At one time, it was believed that a woman’s menstrual blood formed the human soul and that mothers, therefore, were the source of the souls that animated their children.

Dew was once thought to be a sort of rain that fertilized the earth and, in time, became a metaphor for semen. The Bible employs the term “dew” in this sense in such verses as Song of Solomon 5:2 and Psalm 110:3, declaring, in the latter verse, for example, that the people should follow only a king who was virile enough to be full of the “dew” of youth.

It was widely believed, in ancient times, that gemstones were drops of divine semen which had coagulated after having fertilized the earth. There is an ancient Chinese belief that jade, in particular, was the dried semen of the celestial dragon.

Based upon the resemblance of dandelion juice to human semen, it was believed that the flower magically promoted the flow of sperm.

The orchid’s twin bulbs were thought to resemble the testicles, and there was an ancient Roman belief that the flower sprang from the spilled semen of copulating satyrs.

Barbara G. Walker recounts these examples of sacred semen in The Woman’s Dictionary of Symbols and Sacred Objects, the thesis of which is that myth and folklore show a pre-patriarchic rule by women that was later supplanted by masculine culture.

Semen in popular culture

Depiction of semen in art and popular culture has, for a long time, been considered a taboo subject.

Andres Serrano, whose photos depict bodily fluids such as "Blood and Semen II" (Semen y Sangre II) (1990), became a controversial figure for featuring semen in his work. He was criticized by some for producing offensive art, while others defended him in the name of artistic freedom. His photos were featured on the cover art of two Metallica albums, namely Load and ReLoad, feature images made by shining light through a piece of clear plastic on which semen, blood and urine have been splattered and swirled around.

Only recently has semen been depicted (albeit controversially) in movies such as There's Something About Mary (1998) ("a hard-core staple making its debut in a mainstream Hollywood comedy"), Happiness (1998), American Pie (1999), Scary Movie (2000), Scary Movie 2 (2001), and National Lampoon's Van Wilder (2002). Jackass Number Two (2006) features a scene where Chris Pontius drinks horse semen.

Euphemisms

A huge variety of euphemisms and dysphemisms have been invented to describe semen. For a complete list of terms, see Sexual slang.

See also

• Cumshot
• ejaculation
• spermatozoon
• spermatogenesis
• pre-ejaculate
• capacitation
• sexual slang for a list of various commonly used terms for semen.
• Vasectomy

References

1. uhmc.sunysb.edu
2. World Health Organization (2003). Laboratory Manual for the Examination of Human Semen and Semen–Cervical Mucus Interaction, 4th edition. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. p. 60. ISBN 0-521-64599-9. {{cite book}}: line feed character in |title= at position 41 (help)
3. Mathur S, Goust J, Williamson H, Fudenberg H (1981). "Cross-reactivity of sperm and T lymphocyte antigens". Am J Reprod Immunol. 1 (3): 113–8. PMID 6175235.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
4. Guillet G, Dagregorio G, Guillet M (2005). "". Ann Dermatol Venereol. 132 (2): 123–5. PMID 15798560.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
5. Weidinger S, Ring J, Köhn F. "IgE-mediated allergy against human seminal plasma". Chem Immunol Allergy. 88: 128–38. PMID 16129942.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
6. http://www.chikung.com/chapter8.html
7. http://www.hunyuantaijiacademy.com/Articles/On%20Qigong.aspx
8. Herdt, Gilbert (editor) (January 28, 1993). Ritualized Homosexuality in Melanesia. University of California Press. ISBN 0-520-08096-3. {{cite book}}: |first= has generic name (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
9. Weor, Samael Aun (November 1, 2001). The Perfect Matrimony: Tantra - the Door to Enter into Initiation. Thelema Press. ISBN 0-9742755-0-6. {{cite book}}: Check |authorlink= value (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
10. http://www.studentbmj.com/issues/01/12/reviews/481.php
11. Review in Rolling Stone

• Mann T, Lutwak-Mann C. 1981. Male Reproductive Function and Semen. Berlin: Springer-Verlag. ISBN 3-540-10383-X, 0-387-10383X.
• Shivaji S, Scheit K-H, Bhargava PM. 1990. Proteins of seminal plasma. New York: John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 0-471-84685-6.

External links

This article relies excessively on references to primary sources. Please improve this article by adding secondary or tertiary sources. Find sources: "Semen" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (Learn how and when to remove this message)

• Grizard G, Sion B, Bauchart D, Boucher D (2000). "Separation and quantification of cholesterol and major phospholipid classes in human semen by high-performance liquid chromatography and light-scattering detection". J Chromatogr B Biomed Sci Appl. 740 (1): 101–7. PMID 10798299.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
• "factors that affect spermatogenesis"
• "Does Semen Have Antidepressant Properties?" By Gordon G. Gallup
• simple article about sperm contents

• Articles needing additional references from June 2006
• Andrology
• Body fluids
• Male reproductive system
• Penis