Today we are going to talk about a topic that many people are a little hesitant to talk about in public, but it is extremely important for men's health and future family life. That is sperm. There is no shame in talking about this, it is a part of our own body. So, let's talk about this openly, as if we were talking to a friend.
First, let's see what these sperm are.
Simply put, a sperm is a male reproductive cell . It is shaped like a small frog, but it is too small to be seen with the naked eye, and can only be seen with a microscope. A baby is formed when a sperm cell from a man unites with an "egg", another reproductive cell from a woman. In medicine, we call this fertilization .
This usually happens after vaginal intercourse. However, sometimes, for those who are having difficulty conceiving, this fertilization can also be achieved through techniques such as IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) .
A boy usually starts producing sperm around the age of 10-12, or around the time of puberty . After that, he has the ability to produce sperm throughout his life. These are called by several other names, for example `Gametes` or `Spermatozoa`.
The only function of sperm and the amount of semen
Sperm have only one main job: to find a woman's egg, fertilize it, and create a new life.
A question that many people have is whether there will be any harm to the body if you do not ejaculate. There will be no harm. The sperm that is not released from your body will be reabsorbed by your body itself. So there is no reason to worry about it.
Now let's look at how many sperm are in the fluid called semen. Normally, a healthy man's semen contains anywhere from 15 million to over 200 million sperm per milliliter (about the size of a teaspoon). If the sperm count is less than 15 million per milliliter, we call that condition Oligospermia .
How is the journey and lifespan of sperm?
After unprotected sex, millions of sperm make a difficult journey through a woman's vagina, cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes.
Think of it like a big race. Even though millions of competitors start the journey, only a few of the strongest and healthiest sperm will be able to find the final target, the egg.
Also, the woman's immune system sees these sperm as something foreign that has entered the body. Therefore, that system also tries to destroy these sperm. If a remaining sperm passes through all these barriers and finds the egg, fertilization occurs.
How long do sperm live?
- Inside the female body: Sperm can live inside a woman's reproductive system for up to 5 days .
- Inside the male body: Unejaculated sperm can live inside the testicles for about 2.5 months . After that, they die and are reabsorbed by the body.
- Outside the body: This depends on the environment. At room temperature (around 20 degrees Celsius), sperm can live for about an hour . They quickly die with changes in temperature. However, under special cryogenic conditions (`sperm banking`) they can be preserved for decades.
Where are sperm produced and what are their parts?
Sperm are produced in a system of tiny tubes (seminiferous tubes) in your testicles. When sperm is released, it travels through the following path:
1. Ejaculates from the testicles.
2. It travels to a tube (epididymis) behind the testicles.
3. From there it travels along a coiled tube (`vas deferens`).
4. Passes through the prostate gland.
5. Finally, it exits the penis through the urethra.
Now let's look at the main parts of this little sperm.
| Part of the sperm | Description and function |
|---|---|
| Head | This is the most important part. Your genetic information, or DNA , is contained here. The head of a healthy sperm is shaped like an almond. On top of the head is a cap called the acrosome . The enzymes in this help it penetrate the wall of the egg and enter. |
| Midpiece | This part contains mitochondria , which are the powerhouses of our body's cells. Like a battery, this middle part provides the energy needed for the tail to swim. |
| Tail (Tail / Flagellum) | This is the longest part of the sperm. It is the part that moves the sperm forward in a twisting motion, like a screw. This motion also helps it penetrate the egg. |
Why is sperm morphology important?
Sperm morphology is the study of the shape and structure of sperm. It mainly looks at:
- Head shape and size.
- What the middle part looks like.
- The structure of the tail.
Healthy, well-shaped sperm are the ones that can swim straight and fast . If there are any abnormalities in their shape, those sperm may not be able to complete their journey to find the egg.
Abnormally shaped sperm types
| Abnormality (medical term) | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Acephalic sperm | Sperm without a head. |
| Microcephaly | Sperm with a very small head. |
| Macrocephaly | Sperm with a very large head. |
| Duplicate sperm | Sperm with two heads. |
| Acaudate sperm | Sperm without a tail. |
| Bent / Coiled tail | Sperm with a bent or coiled tail. |
What factors affect sperm health?
Sperm problems can be a major cause of male infertility. You may not know that there is a problem affecting your sperm until you and your partner are having trouble conceiving. Here are some common conditions that can affect sperm health.
Varicoceles (varicoceles)
This is a swelling of the blood vessels surrounding the testicles. When this happens, the veins fill with blood and the temperature of the testicles increases. This increased temperature can negatively affect sperm production and development.
Testicular trauma
If an accident damages the testicles, it can directly affect the sperm production process.
Some sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Some sexually transmitted diseases, such as Chlamydia and Gonorrhea, can damage sperm.
Some medications
Some medications you take can affect sperm quality as a side effect. For example:
- Flutamide and bicalutamide, which are used for prostate cancer.
- Spironolactone, which is given for high blood pressure.
- Also, testosterone replacement therapy (exogenous testosterone therapy) stops the body's natural production of sperm.
Environmental and lifestyle influences
This is very important.
- Drinking alcohol and smoking (cigarettes or vaping) directly affect sperm quantity and quality.
- Exposing the testicles to excessive heat is harmful to sperm. Frequent use of saunas or hot tubs, as well as sitting in a chair or wheelchair for long periods of time in the same position, can increase the temperature of the testicles and damage sperm.
Antisperm antibodies
What happens is that your own immune system mistakenly identifies sperm as an enemy and then produces antibodies to destroy them.
Sperm-related diseases
These conditions can affect sperm quantity and quality.
| Medical condition | Simply meaning |
|---|---|
| Oligospermia | Low sperm count in the semen (less than 15 million per milliliter). |
| Azoospermia | The absence of sperm in the semen. This can be due to a blockage in the reproductive system, such as a blocked fallopian tube. |
| Teratospermia | A high percentage of abnormally shaped sperm in the semen, which reduces their ability to swim to and penetrate an egg. |
How to check sperm health?
The best and most important test to know about sperm health is a semen analysis . This test can give your doctor a clear understanding of the following:
- Sperm count: What is the amount?
- Sperm shape: What is the percentage of healthy-shaped sperm?
- Sperm motility: How well and quickly do the sperm move?
This requires a semen sample to be provided. This can be done at a clinic or laboratory. If the sample is provided at home, it usually needs to be delivered to the laboratory within an hour .
How to improve sperm quality?
The good news is that you can improve the health and quality of your sperm with a few simple changes to your lifestyle.
- Quit smoking completely. This is the number one thing.
- Limit your alcohol consumption. It's best to reduce it as much as possible.
- Add more fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet.
- Maintain a healthy weight for your height.
- Exercise regularly. Even walking for 30 minutes a day is enough.
- Manage stress. Things like yoga and meditation can help.
- Use protective methods such as condoms during sex to protect yourself from sexually transmitted diseases.
If you're expecting a baby, it's important for both you and your partner to think about these things. It's like a team effort.
Ultimately, it only takes one sperm to make a baby. But for that one sperm to find the egg, overcome obstacles, and make that difficult journey, it needs the support of millions of healthy, strong sperm. That's why sperm quantity and quality are as important as sperm quality.
Take-Home Message
- Sperm health is extremely important for any man looking to start a family.
- Your lifestyle habits (smoking, alcohol, diet, exercise, stress) directly affect sperm quality.
- If you are having difficulty conceiving, do not be shy or delay in seeking advice from a qualified doctor . A semen analysis is a very simple and important test.
- There are now effective treatments for many sperm problems, so don't give up hope.
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