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Sperm Structure and Semen Composition01:22

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During ejaculation, males release around 2-5 milliliters of semen, which is a complex mixture of mature sperm and various fluids produced by accessory glands. The mature sperm cells measure approximately 60 micrometers in length and consist of a head, neck, midpiece, and tail. The head is flattened and tapered, measuring about 4 to 5 micrometers in length. It contains a nucleus with condensed chromosomes and an acrosome, a cap-like structure filled with enzymes essential for penetrating the...
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Sexual stimulation can take various forms, such as physical touch and visual or auditory cues. When this happens, the parasympathetic reflex in the sacral portion of the spinal cord is activated. This reflex stimulates the release of nitric oxide (NO), which then dilates the arterioles in the penis, increasing blood flow to the erectile tissues - the corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum.
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During fertilization, an egg and sperm cell fuse to create a new diploid structure. In humans, the process occurs once the egg has been released from the ovary, and travels into the fallopian tubes. The process requires several key steps: 1) sperm present in the genital tract must locate the egg; 2) once there, sperm need to release enzymes to help them burrow through the protective zona pellucida of the egg; and 3) the membranes of a single sperm cell and egg must fuse, with the sperm...
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The journey of sperm from its origin to the point of ejaculation begins within the seminiferous tubules of the testis. Here, Sertoli cells produce fluid that propels non-motile sperm through a series of conduits, starting with the straight tubules leading to the rete testis. This interconnected network of tubules acts as the initial pathway for sperm, guiding them into the efferent ductules and then into the epididymis for maturation.
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Feedback Regulation of Calcium Concentration01:27

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Calcium is an essential signaling molecule required for various cellular functions. Calcium pumps and ion channels on cell and organellar membranes, such as those on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), regulate calcium concentrations inside the cell. They remain closed, keeping the cytosolic calcium levels low at a resting state.
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Spermatogenesis is the process by which haploid sperm cells are produced in the male testes. It starts with stem cells located close to the outer rim of seminiferous tubules. These spermatogonial stem cells divide asymmetrically to give rise to additional stem cells (meaning that these structures “self-renew”), as well as sperm progenitors, called spermatocytes. Importantly, this method of asymmetric mitotic division maintains a population of spermatogonial stem cells in the male...
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Techniques for Imaging Ca2+ Signaling in Human Sperm
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Split ejaculation study: semen parameters and calcium and magnesium in seminal plasma.

James Valsa1, Kalanghot Padmanabhan Skandhan2, Pulikkal Sahab Khan3

  • 1Department of Physiology, Government Medical College, Surat, India.

Central European Journal of Urology
|March 1, 2014
PubMed
Summary

The first portion of a split ejaculate contains superior sperm quality and higher levels of calcium and magnesium. This finding recommends the initial ejaculate split for homologous artificial insemination in cases of male infertility.

Keywords:
calciummagnesiumsemen parameterssplit ejaculate

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Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Medicine
  • Andrology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Male infertility affects a growing number of couples seeking assisted reproductive technologies.
  • Artificial insemination, particularly homologous insemination, offers a viable solution for conditions like oligozoospermia and oligoasthenozoospermia.
  • Optimizing sperm preparation techniques is crucial for maximizing the success of artificial insemination.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the optimal fraction of a split ejaculate for homologous artificial insemination.
  • To analyze the concentration of calcium and magnesium in each split ejaculate fraction.
  • To correlate ejaculate fraction quality with mineral content for improved infertility treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Thirty-one healthy adult males provided semen samples divided into three sequential splits.
  • Each ejaculate split was analyzed according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria for sperm parameters.
  • Seminal plasma and spermatozoa from each split were assessed for calcium and magnesium levels.

Main Results:

  • The first ejaculate split demonstrated significantly higher sperm count and motility compared to the second and third splits.
  • Elevated concentrations of calcium and magnesium were observed in the seminal plasma and spermatozoa of the first split.
  • Mineral content (calcium, magnesium) followed a decreasing trend from the first to the third ejaculate split.

Conclusions:

  • The initial fraction of a split ejaculate is superior in sperm quality (count and motility) for artificial insemination.
  • Recommending the first ejaculate split for homologous artificial insemination in patients with oligozoospermia and oligoasthenozoospermia.
  • The prostate gland significantly contributes to the calcium and magnesium content in the initial ejaculate fraction.