semen - Composition of human semen, Semen and transmission of disease, Blood in the semen (hematospermia)

Yellow-white fluid ejaculated from the penis at orgasm. It consists of spermatozoa and the seminal plasma, the secretions from the accessory sex glands (seminal vesicles, prostate, urethral, and bulbo-urethral glands). The secretions assist in the nourishment and motility of the spermatozoa. Fructose is their main source of energy, and prostaglandins facilitate their transport in the female reproductive tract by increasing the motility of the uterus.

Like blood, semen consists of two parts, the cellular part (spermatozoa and in some instances leucocytes and epithelial cells) and noncellular part (seminal plasma). 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. The plasma portion of semen may contain dissolved water- and fat-soluble constituents, depending on the diet of the organism in question.

Composition of human semen

Approximately 200- to 500-million spermatozoa (also called sperm or spermatozoans), produced in the testes, are released per ejaculation. The bulk of the semen is composed of seminal plasma, the fluid portion of semen.

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

Basic amines such as putrescine, spermine, spermidine and cadaverine are responsible for the smell and flavor of semen. Salts and metal ions in the semen help to create a more hospitable environment for the sperm in the vaginal canal.

The simple sugar fructose is the main energy source of sperm cells, which rely entirely on sugars from the seminal plasma for energy. Other components of semen (mucus and texturizing proteins) serve to increase the mobility of sperm cells in the vagina and cervix by creating a less viscous channel for the sperm cells to swim through, and preventing their diffusion out of the semen. Prostaglandin hormones are involved in suppressing an immune response by the female against the foreign semen.

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 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.

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.

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.

The best way to test for human seminal plasma sensitivity is to use a condom during intercourse. Mild cases of semen allergy can often be overcome by repeated exposure to seminal fluid.

Semen and martial arts

Chi Kung places huge emphasis on a form of energy called 'jing' - which one attempts to develop and build up, jing is sexual energy and is considered to dissipate with ejaculation so masturbation is considered "Energy Suicide" amongst those who practice this art.

Cultural views

In some cultures, semen is attributed with special properties of masculinity.

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

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.

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. 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. Only recently has semen been depicted (albeit controversially) in movies such as American Pie, National Lampoon's Van Wilder, Scary Movie, Scary Movie 2, Happiness and There's Something About Mary.

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.

Jackass Number Two features a scene where Chris Pontius drinks horse semen.

Also the cover art of two Metallica Albums, Namely Load and Re-load, feature images made by shining light through a piece of clear plastic on which semen, blood and urine have been splattered and swirled around.

Euphemisms

A huge variety of euphemisms and dysphemisms have been invented to describe semen.