Man’s sperm is an adhesive, viscous, mucoid, sticky, heterogeneous, opaque (translucent) white-gray (whitish) liquid with the characteristic (distinctive) smell of raw chestnut (very faint smell of chlorine, the smell of chlorine bleach) , has alkaline reaction (pH 7.2-7.6). The relative density of sperm is 1028-1030, the relative viscosity (after dilution) is 6.45 (at t ° 20C), the surface tension is 66 din / cm (at t ° 15 °), the freezing point varies depending on the duration of storage: from - 0.56- 0.58 ° (1 hour) to - 0,74-0,78 ° (16 hours). Color of seminal fluid may vary (normal colors: white, yellow and gray). Taste, as well as composition of sperm is determined by the nature of food, health state, frequency of ejaculation and usually slightly sweet-salt with sour or bitter taste. It is noticed that frequent ejaculations make sperm less sweet and bitterer. Dried sperm has a smell of roasted horn, on dark cloth has whitish and very clear view on the bright cloth has grayish-yellow or brownish color, almost compact texture with irregular wavy edges.
Number of semen (ejaculate volume) is different and varies widely both among different individuals, and at one and the same person at different times; an average volume of semen, under condition that ejaculation occurs with a 3-day intervals, equals about 3 ml (from 2 to 6 ml), can vary from 1-2 to 10 ml or more and can reach a full teaspoon. Decrease or increase ejaculation volume occurs mainly due to secretion of the prostate. Ejaculation volume depends on the following factors:
1) the more sexual or masturbation acts are committed, ending with ejaculation, the less each subsequent portion of the ejaculate, and fewer spermatozoa in them, but during 1-2 days the ejaculation volume increases and spermatozoa quantity returns to normal;
2) the quantity and quality of sperm are directly dependent on the diet and the physical work. Light-digested food, big amount of water, microelements and carbohydrates increase amount of sperm. Heavy physical work and stay in a stuffy room reduce the amount of sperm, whereas the jogging and fitness exercises in the fresh air increase;
3) obese men produce less sperm than in lean and muscular;
4) amount and quality of sperm depend on emotional state. Depression, anxiety, strong emotions reduce volume and quality of ejaculate, benevolent mood, sexual arousal and pacification increase;
5) very significantly increase ejaculation volume long (40 minutes) and intensive pre-stimulation of men, particularly masturbating and having many orgasms without ejaculation. For best results it is required 2-3 hours;
6) although sperm production begins at puberty (11-13 years), the maximum number of sperm occurs in men aged 18-30 years, and after 40 years ejaculator volume begins to decrease. Older people have small amount of semen because of decreasing spermatozoa production and lack of secretion of the prostate and seminal vesicles.
Negatively affect sperm:
• Age (the older, the less become spermatozoa active, but their fertilizing capacity remains)
• Injuries of the testicles
• Nicotine and alcohol (prevent maturation of sperm)
• Stress (cortisol, secreted during stress, reduces testosterone level)
• Overheating (hot tub, sauna, steam room, too warm or close underwear, prolonged sedentary work, obesity have negative impact on the maturation of sperm)
• Improper bicycle seat (circulatory problems in the genital organs)
• Overload during training
• Fat meat (reduces the effectiveness of testosterone)
• Caffeine (delays the formation of sperm and violates their metabolism)
How to improve the quality of semen:
• Keep testicles in cool environment (the optimum temperature is 30-31 degrees)
• Do not wear permanently swimming trunks, narrow trousers and jeans (cause stagnation of blood in the testicles, especially when sitting)
• Eat useful for sperm food (fruits, nuts, fish, lean meat, vegetable oil)
• Go in for sport
• Have sex (regular ejaculations increase testosterone level).
