Sperm count plays a major role for men who want to enter the parenthood phase. Understanding and learning about sperm count can be scary. We put forward 5 scary facts about men’s sperm count, and we are surprised.
- You can get pregnant without any ejaculation
Men have disputed claims that they impregnated their partners. The most viable defense to this allegation is that they didn’t even ejaculate. They pulled out right before ejaculating.
Wait a minute. Did you know that a pre-ejaculatory fluid can make a woman pregnant? Well, I also didn’t know this.
But here is how it happens. When you lubricate the vagina, the fluid doesn’t contain any sperm. But there could be sperms leftover and floating in the urethra.
The sperms could be yours or another man. How? Well, sperm can stay alive in the woman’s reproductive ducts for up to five days. So in case you happen to have sex within this time, your pre-cum could help the existing sperm swim to the egg.
As mentioned by Kids Health, before ejaculation, guys may release a small amount of sperm from the penis, known as pre-ejaculate or “pre-cum.” Consequently, even if a guy withdraws before ejaculating, there is still a risk of pregnancy for the girl. Unlike during an orgasm, it’s challenging for a guy to know precisely when pre-ejaculate is released, making it important to use additional contraceptive methods to prevent unintended pregnancies effectively.
Two studies confirm this possibility. The 2011 test found that 37% of the pre-cum samples contained healthy and active sperms.
Another test undertaken in 2016 also established this finding. Samples for 42 men had not less than 17% virile sperms.
- Who’s to blame for your low sperm count?
Are you worried that nature has short-changed you? And that your sperm count is consistently low? Well, blame your dad.
A low sperm count of less than 15 million per semen drop is inadequate. And when this level drops below 5 million, then you are technically impotent.
Thus you may blame your parents for this situation. Biology assigns this blame to your father.
But how is your dad involved? Your sperm comprises of an XY chromosome. For a woman, the egg has a XX chromosome. It’s the Y protein that determines sperm health.
The Y gene is passed from your father. Women only have X chromosomes. Thus your sister gets her X from your dad also.
While the X chromosome is usually robust, X tends to be fragile. And so when a segment of this gene is defective, it results in low sperm production. Thus it impacts your sperm count.
- Not all Sperms are viable
One astounding fact about sperm count is how long they remain active. Science proves that the thicker the semen, the more the sperm count in each ejaculation.
But some still don’t understand this situation. So men assume that a more fluid discharge is likely to flow faster to the egg. Thus, a thinner release has a better chance of reaching the egg.
Yet, this is not the actual situation. Further, even with the thick semen, not all sperms are healthy. You are fertile even with as low as 40% active sperms.
Also, the active sperms aren’t even perfect for the journey. Some have two heads, and others don’t have tails. So swimming becomes a problem.
Further, others have weird tails, yet some sperms may also miss essential components. Only a tiny fraction reaches the finish line.
And for those that reach the eggs, some swim right past the target membrane. Thus they remain stranded, floating around the body.
- Sperm moves irregularly
The level of a man’s fertility is determined by the concentration of sperms in his semen. A higher the sperm count enhances the likelihood for a man impregnating a woman.
This being the case, most men assume that they are fertile. So why not fertile a woman? After all, they release more than 300 million little guys to look for a single egg.
The assumption is that the journey is a simple direct swim to the egg. So the marathon swimmer gets to penetrate the trophy.
But the reality is much different. Sperms take a long windy trip to reach their destination. None of these million swimmers dash straight. Most don’t even make a move.
And the ones that move don’t go forward. They travel aimlessly, dodging from side to side.
Further, the sperm have to push through valleys and folds. It’s only with the help of vaginal mucus that it eventually reaches the egg.
In an interview with Dr. Gadêlha featured in the Smithsonian Magazine, it was revealed that a sperm cell’s function goes beyond swimming and finding the egg.
Apart from navigating towards the egg, it must also respond to chemical cues, adapt to various viscosities, and activate specific mechanisms. Understanding these complex processes is crucial for comprehending human fertility and reproduction.
- Multiple sperm entry is bad
After all the effort, only one sperm penetrates the egg. Once this fate is met, then the egg crust closes up for any other entry.
But there are situations where two sperms finish the race in a tie. Thus they get inside the egg at the same time. They end up growing into fraternal twins.
On the other end, an egg may split into two upon fertilization. This process brings out identical twins. But seeing many sperms enter an egg is rare. So why is this so?
When multiple sperms manage to break into the egg layer, then complications may ensue.
These sperms deliver different genetic materials to the egg. As such, the DNA of the fertilized egg may change significantly.
These changes may bring about many difficult medical conditions. These may include the Downs syndrome. Other fetal defects that could arise include defective hearts, spines, and even head.
Nature thus prevents polyspermy – many sperms gaining entry to an egg.
Bonus Tips Submitted By Viewers
- Brittle sperm
Man is the only species that have a large proportion of sperm deformed. More than 90% of sperm ejaculated each time has an issue or more.
Less than 10% of sperm grow fit and healthy to fertilize an ovum. Most others are too weak, or crippled to perform their key role.
You get sperm with two heads, huge heads, two tails, shortened tails, or coiled tails.
Why is this so? Well, other species make sperm when they are ready to reproduce. And when the mating season arrived, they fight and work hard to plant their seeds in as many females as possible.
Humans, being monogamous and generally don’t have a clear copulation calendar. Women ovulate but don’t give men the chance to deposit the sperm even when men are producing sperm daily.
Men don’t ejaculate as much as required. This situation leaves much of the sperm to overstay.
As sperm age, they are starved of nutrients and thus deform quickly.
- One testicle is enough
Ever wondered why some things come in twos? Two breasts, two eyes, and even two testes? Well, it’s just more for asymmetry and less for functionalities.
But having two balls ensure more reliability in the high stake roles these organs play. Like an eye that still needs to see even if one is painful, balls are two.
The main function of the testes is to produce sperm and to make and discharge testosterone. Within the testes, a coiled mass called seminiferous tubules produce sperm through spermatogenesis.
But one of your balls could become infected or sick. This situation doesn’t prevent the other one from functioning properly.
One testicle can continue making healthy sperm and discharging virile male sex hormones. Thus, technically, you need only one sperm sac to reproduce.
According to Healthline Media, assuming you are in good health without any underlying conditions that might affect your fertility, you should be capable of having children. Even with just one testicle, your body can produce enough testosterone to facilitate erections and ejaculation. Moreover, this is sufficient to generate an ample amount of sperm for successful fertilization.
Lance Armstrong, a famed cyclist, had one ball removed due to cancer. He still became a father of five, two of who were conceived naturally.
In conclusion, we have talked about the five most scary facts about sperm count that you probably didn’t know about. We hope you will be able to consider these facts and make better decisions regarding your sperm count.
SIMILAR QUESTION
What Is A Weird Fact About Sperm?
Introduction
Sperm is a vital part of human reproduction, as it is required for the fertilization of an egg to create a new life. However, there are several interesting and unique facts about sperm that many people may not know. This paper will explore some of the weird facts surrounding sperm, including its size, lifespan, and even its unique smell.
Size
One weird fact about sperm is its size. While sperm cells are microscopic, each individual sperm is actually quite small, measuring in at around 0.0015 inches in length. That’s about the size of a grain of sand! Despite its small size, sperm is a powerful swimmer, capable of swimming up to 5 millimeters per minute.
Lifespan
Another interesting fact about sperm is its lifespan. While sperm cells are capable of surviving for up to five days inside a female’s body, the average lifespan of a single sperm is only about three days. This means that sperm must swim quickly in order to reach the egg in time for fertilization.
Smell
Sperm also has a unique smell. While the smell of sperm may vary from person to person, it is commonly described as having a “musky” or “fishy” odor. This smell is caused by the presence of proteins, fatty acids, and other compounds in the semen.
Conclusion
In conclusion, sperm is an interesting and unique cell that is full of weird facts. From its size and lifespan to its unique smell, sperm is truly an interesting and unique cell. Understanding these facts can help us better understand the biology of sperm and the process of reproduction.
