The chemical composition of male sperm

Sperm contains substances called acid phosphatase. It has chemical activity, due to which it can be detected. Human sperm also contains a large concentration of a substance called p30, which, with rare exceptions, is specific to sperm.

Seminal fluid analysis : how is the substance detected?

In general, the following steps are taken to determine the presence or absence of sperm in an element:

1. First, by visual inspection and verification of acid phosphatase , traces of the substance are found. Microscopic identification of sperm cells or detection of p30 confirms the presence of fluid.
2. The presence of acid phosphatase on the product will result in a purple color when specific chemicals are added.
3. The color intensity obtained refers to the amount of acid phosphatase present.

The liquid component from the extract of cellular material can be checked for the presence of p30.

What does seminal fluid analysis show?

The detection of this element is carried out using a commercially available reagent that specifically binds p30. As a result, traces of fluid can be detected, sperm composition and its quality can be established. Only about 5% of the volume of the ejaculate consists of sperm.

The remaining 95% is represented by seminal plasma, a complex composition of hormones, neurotransmitters, endorphins, immunosuppressants and alkaline substances that function to neutralize vaginal acidity.

Hypersensitivity to sperm: what components affect the female reproductive system?

Sperm literature usually focuses on the obvious causes and methods of treating infertility, rather than on finite or evolutionary problems. Seminal plasma hypersensitivity (SPH) plays an important role in fertilization and can negatively affect sperm collection.

1. Plasma hypersensitivity has been described as an allergic reaction to sperm in which genital and even local exposure to seminal fluid can lead to swelling and irritation, sometimes with burning and painful side effects. SPH appears to be a reaction to sperm, not plasma.
2. The etiology of SPH and sperm composition is not clearly defined in the literature, but some researchers claim that these reactions are IgE-mediated responses against glycoprotein antigens in seminal plasma.
3. Glycoproteins are present in all men and are produced primarily in the prostate gland. However, if such proteins were the cause, one would expect a generalized allergy in patients to the entire seminal plasma, but this is usually not the case.

Thus, the main factors responsible for the hypersensitivity effect have not yet been determined. But what is part of the sperm is definitely capable of influencing the result of fluid entering the vagina.

Chemical properties of sperm plasma components

Secret development takes place every hour. A man can be at rest, play sports, his genitals will always produce enough seed to exit. At the same time, the chemical composition of sperm changes slightly if during the day a person consumes different foods, alcohol or even tobacco.

Cells live in sperm plasma, which is saturated with proteins, fats and nitrogen-containing components. Proteins break down immediately after release, leaving amino acids in the plasma. The sperm composition of men is also saturated with testosterone, which is important for women. But the enzyme is the one that affects the formation, maturation and motor functions of sperm. Therefore, the composition of a person’s sperm changes due to the malfunction of the epididymis.

How sperm is produced: the process of appearance and release of fluid

Below is a table of how secretion is produced and how much seed is needed to fertilize one egg.

Hundreds of millions of sperm cells compete for one egg. Only one of them is able to answer for the future gender of the child, however, everything happens by chance. It is impossible to determine in advance which chromosome will be responsible for the sex of the fetus.

The physiological structure: what is a sperm?

They are compared with "tadpoles" that turn into frogs. They are ordered in motion for their sole purpose:

• There is a long tail that helps them move.
• Many mitochondria to predict this activity, the transfer of genetic information and enzymatic proteins to enter the egg.
• Proteins are stored in a “cap” in front, known as an acrosome - this is the part that first comes into contact with the egg.
• The tail is called a flagellum, and it uses the energy created by mitochondria to move forward.
• Sperm is haploid and contains one set of 23 chromosomes.
• Movement continues as long as there is energy. This is necessary for penetration into the vagina.
• Chromosomes are created by a cell division process known as meiosis, which creates 4 spermatozoa from a single germ cell. They are very small - only about 50 microns.
• Sperm ejaculate in semen - the main fluid with a pH of about 7.4.

The goal of sperm is the cell. Since it is much larger, it is considered a source of cytosols and organelles, especially mitochondria, for the future zygote.

Who is responsible for fertility?

Unlike sperm, the egg did not complete meiosis - it stuck in metaphase II. This means that the egg is haploid, but with sister chromatids still attached to each other. In addition, unlike sperm, the meiotic division into the creation of several eggs, oogenesis creates only one viable egg. It is covered with a thick outer layer known as zona pellucida.

This is the layer of carbohydrates and proteins that surround the plasma membrane. It helps protect the cell and is responsible for mediating the initial meeting of the sperm with it. Cortical granules filled with enzymes will align the inside of the cell membrane so that only one sperm can fertilize it.

How does the "meeting" of two particles of organisms

Not only the environment of tissues and organs of the female body, but also the structure, composition of male sperm can affect the speed of conception. However, it is wrong to say that the woman “did not let in” the cage. Her body acts independently of the body, which can not be said about male sperm - they have a goal:

1. The egg and sperm move in opposite directions to meet. Most often this occurs in the fallopian tubes.
2. During ovulation, the ovaries release a cell into one of the fallopian tubes, and it passes through the tube toward the uterus, which is preparing for a possible implantation of the embryo.
3. Part of this cell contains estrogen and luteinizing hormone (LH). It “launches” the ovaries to release the cell while the other part of the estrogen in the blood stimulates the vaginal membrane to secrete glycogen. It is then metabolized to lactate.
4. This reduces the pH of the vagina (to 3.8), creating an acidic environment that is hostile to pathogens, infections and not only so that at the time of conception a woman does not get sick.
5. However, this medium can also be toxic to sperm, although the main fluid can buffer vaginal acidity to preserve sperm.
6. Since semen mixes with vaginal secretions, the pH settles at a point that is not harmful to sperm. This new medium is a trigger for activating sperm flagella and increasing sperm motility.

Therefore, it is believed that the moment of ovulation is an ideal time for conception of a child. However, calculating a day or an hour is very difficult.