The terms “sperm” and “semen” are often used interchangeably, but they are different things.
Spermatozoa(sperm) are microscopic sex cells that carry genetic material.
About 20 million to 600 million sperm are released with each ejaculation.
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Semen, also called ejaculate, is the bodily fluid released during ejaculation.
An average of about 2 to 5 milliliters of semen is released with each ejaculation.
About 1% to 5% of semen is made up of sperm cells.
Verywell Health recognizes thatgender and sex are not binaryand that these labels do not apply to every individual.
The volume of semen and the number of sperm with each ejaculation varies.
The sperm head is covered by a cap called theacrosome.
This cap contains enzymes that help the sperm enter the ovum (egg).
Themitochondria, which generates energy for the cell, is located in a small middle portion of the sperm.
Theflagellum(the tail of the sperm) is a hairlike bundle of filaments.
It gives movement to the sperm cell to help it reach and fertilize the ovum.
These include:
Function
Sperm fertilizes (unites with) an ovum andcreates a zygote.
The zygote matures into an embryo, and the embryo develops into a fetus.
While human body cells have 46 chromosomes, sperm cells have 23 chromosomes.
When sperm cells unite with the ovum, which also contains 23 chromosomes, the total reaches 46.
If a sperm cell carrying a Y chromosome fertilizes the ovum, the fetus will be genetically male.
Generally, semen is a thick and cloudy fluid that’s either white or grayish.
After ejaculation, semen forms a gel.
This helps protect sperm from the acidic environment of the vagina.
What Is a Refractory Period?
During this period, the penis becomes flaccid (not firm or stiff).
This time depends on the individual and factors such as age.
Sperm and Semen Production and Development
The male reproductive system has parts outside and inside the body.
Beforepuberty, the seminiferous tubules that produce sperm contain simple, round cells.
During puberty, hormones such as testosterone transform these cells into sperm cells.
Reproduction is not possible before the sexual maturity that comes with puberty.
Sperm are microscopic cells that carry genetic material and unite with an ovum toform a pregnancy.
Semen is a thick, whitish fluid that contains sperm and many other components.
It helps transport and protect sperm.
Sperm is produced in thetesticles.
Fluids are added by parts of the male reproductive tract during ejaculation to make semen.
Female sexual fluids include arousal fluid, cervical discharge, female ejaculation fluid, and “squirting.”
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Nemours KidsHealth.Male reproductive system.
Nemours TeensHealth.Male reproductive system.
Columbia Health.Is it normal if my boyfriend’s semen is chunky?
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