Why is semen like jelly?

As the saying goes, the world is changing, and there are no two substances in the world that are exactly the same! In a relationship between a man and a woman, a woman's vaginal discharge will change due to changes in the body, and so will a man's semen! Many people may not know this, or they are not kind enough to observe carefully! However, a man's semen is the same as a woman's vaginal discharge! They both reflect a person's physical health, so it can be said that they should not be ignored!

Semen refers to the fluid that is ejected from the urethra of male animals or humans during ejaculation (usually in a state of orgasm). Normal semen is a viscous liquid mixture composed of sperm and seminal plasma. Sperm is produced by the testicles, matures in the epididymis, and is discharged through the vas deferens. Seminal plasma is mainly a mixture of secretions from accessory glands such as the prostate, seminal vesicles and bulbourethral glands, and also includes a small amount of testicular fluid, epididymal fluid, etc. Normally, the components of sperm and seminal plasma "stay in their respective places". During the ejaculation process, sperm and seminal plasma mix to form semen.

The quality of semen is closely related to fertility. The quality of semen cannot be determined based on a single indicator of semen, but should be analyzed comprehensively based on multiple indicators. Commonly used indicators for evaluating semen quality include:

1. Semen volume

Refers to the volume of semen ejected in one ejaculation. The normal amount should be more than or equal to 1.5-2 ml (milliliters). If it is more than 8 ml, it is too much. At this time, not only the sperm density becomes low, but it is also easy to flow out of the female vagina, resulting in a decrease in the total number of sperm, which is common in patients with seminal vesiculitis. If the total amount is less than 1.5-2 ml, it is a small amount of semen, which is easy to cause infertility.

2. Color

Normal semen color is off-white or slightly yellowish, and after liquefaction, it becomes translucent milky white. If ejaculation has not occurred for a long time, it may appear slightly light yellow. If semen appears yellow-green, it indicates that there may be inflammation in the male reproductive tract or accessory glands (such as prostatitis and seminal vesiculitis). If semen is red (including bright red, light red, dark red or soy sauce color), it is highly suspected that there is blood in the semen (hematospermia). After examination, those who contain a large number of red blood cells can be diagnosed with hematospermia, which is common in patients with accessory glands and posterior urethritis, and occasionally in patients with tuberculosis or tumors.

3. Liquefaction time

When semen is first discharged from the body, it is in a gel state. After a period of time, it will turn into a liquid state. This process is called liquefaction. The liquefaction time refers to the time required for newly discharged semen to change from a gel to a free-flowing state. At room temperature, a normal semen sample will completely liquefy within 60 minutes. If the semen still does not liquefy 30 minutes after ejaculation, it is abnormal. The liquefaction of semen requires the participation of a series of proteolytic enzymes. If the semen does not liquefy or liquefies incompletely, it can inhibit the activity of sperm, thereby reducing the chance of pregnancy for the woman.

4. Viscosity

Use a glass rod to touch the liquefied semen, and gently lift it to form a semen thread. If the semen is normal, the length of the semen thread should be less than 2 cm, otherwise it is considered abnormal.

5. Acidity and alkalinity (PH value)

Semen is slightly alkaline, with a pH value of 7.2 to 7.8.

6. Sperm density (concentration)

The normal sperm count should be over 20 million/ml (or 15 million/ml).

7. Sperm Motility

In the past, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended that sperm motility be divided into four levels based on the speed of sperm movement: A: active forward movement, fast linear movement; B: moderate forward movement; C: sperm swaying in place; D: inactive. However, the new version of the WHO experimental manual simply divides sperm into PR (progressive, forward movement), NP (non-progressive, non-progressive movement) and IM (immotility, completely immotility) types based on the different sperm movement functions, regardless of the speed of sperm movement.

8. Sperm morphology

Abnormal sperm refers to sperm with abnormal shape. Due to changes in the testing standards, its percentage should be below 30% (according to the fourth edition) or 96% (according to the fifth edition). If the abnormality rate exceeds the above standards, it is an abnormal phenomenon, called high abnormal sperm, which may affect fertility.

All along, the standards for checking semen quality in my country have been formulated in accordance with the standard method recommended by the World Health Organization, "Manual of Laboratory Tests of Human Semen and Sperm-Cervical Mucus Interaction". According to the standards of this manual (fourth edition), when ① semen volume ≥ 2ml; ② pH ≥ 7.2; ③ sperm density ≥ 20×10/ml; ④ sperm motility within 60 minutes after ejaculation, 50% or more have forward movement (i.e. a+b grade) or 25% or more have rapid forward movement (a grade), the semen is normal when the above indicators are met at the same time.

So for the health of your next generation, don’t be embarrassed! Especially for those young couples who want children, you must pay close attention to your own and your partner’s health! In order to give birth to a healthy and cute baby, both men and women should pay attention! And I think prenatal examinations are necessary and must not be taken lightly!