Difference Between Sperm and Semen
Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology | July 02, 2024
Table Of Contents
Many people seem to think that sperm and semen are the same thing. As such, they use these two terms interchangeably. However, both of them are quite different, in more ways than one. Both semen and sperm are equally important for reproduction; however, both of them play a distinct role in the process of reproduction, defined by their unique characteristics, properties, and core functions. In this article, we will learn what both of them are and what is the difference between sperm and semen, in addition to other pertinent information about both components.
To understand the differences between both semen and sperm, it is essential to understand what each of them is. Let’s understand what they are.
What Is Semen?
Semen is the fluid that is produced and ejaculated when a male experiences an orgasm. It travels through the reproductive organs of the male, acting as the medium through which sperm as well as other components are sent to the reproductive system in females. Semen contains a variety of fluids that are produced by different glands, and sperm is one component contained in it.
So what does semen contain? There are two main components that, when combined, form semen. The first component is the sperm, which are responsible for fertilizing an egg or ovum in the female reproductive system. The second component is plasma, which is basically a combination of various secretions that have been produced in different glands. Most prominently, seminal plasma is made of seminal vesicles, enzymes, zinc, and citric acid secreted from the prostate gland, and pre-ejaculate fluid, which is secreted from the cowper’s glands.
What Is Sperm?
Sperms in semen are the cells, which are also known as spermatozoa. These are the cells that carry genetic material and are responsible for fertilizing the eggs produced by females, leading to the formation of a fetus. The genetic material contained in sperm is the information that is needed for creating new life, combined with the genetic material brought by the female egg.
Sperm is made up of a nucleus, which is located in its head and is full of male DNA. Apart from this, it is also made up of a structure that resembles a cap, located over the head of the sperm, which contains all the enzymes that are needed for penetrating into the egg. This is known as acrosome. Beyond these, sperm also contains mitochondria, which produce the energy needed to power the tail, improving motility, as well as the tail itself, which is known as a flagellum.
If you have ever wondered why sperm is sticky, it is mainly the semen, which is sticky because of the secretions made by the seminal vesicles and prostate glands, which contain a lot of enzymes and proteins. This stickiness plays an essential role for biological processes such as reproduction because it allows the semen (and, by extension, the sperm) to attach to the walls of the vagina and the cervix, thereby minimizing the likelihood of the semen being removed from the reproductive system.
With regards to concerns like how many sperm does a man has, there is no one single answer, as several factors come into play and determine how much sperm a particular male produces. The production of sperm is constant, and males can produce sperm from the start of puberty through their entire lives. However, here’s a relative breakdown:
- On a daily basis, males can produce several million sperm every day, going up to roughly 100 million sperm each day. It is essential to note that this number reflects the capacity of a healthy male.
- Once produced, sperm can stay alive within the male's reproductive system for only a few weeks. However, once it reaches the female reproductive system, it can only survive for a few days. It can either fertilize the egg within this duration or simply expire.
- In terms of volume per ejaculation, a single ejaculation can range from 1.5 to 5 milliliters, and in every milliliter, there can be between 5 million and 200 million sperm.
Conclusion
Sperm and semen are two very different components that are both very important for the process of reproduction. Whereas sperm is responsible for the creation of life by fertilizing the ovum produced by the female reproductive system, semen contains sperm as well as seminal fluid, which is responsible for carrying the sperm into the female reproductive tract. Without semen, sperm would not be able to successfully reach and stay within the female system, which can directly hamper the ability to reproduce. If you wish to learn more about sperm and semen, connect with us at AINU.
FAQs
No, sperm and semen are not the same thing, although many think they are. Semen is a fluid that is discharged by the male reproductive organ at the time of an orgasm. On the other hand, sperm refers to the reproductive cells that lead to the fertilization of an egg, allowing conception.
Each milliliter of semen can contain between 15 million and 200 million sperm cells. Every ejaculation can contain between 1.5 and 5 milliliters of semen, which means that every ejaculation can lead to a discharge of anywhere between 20 million and about a billion sperm cells.
The female equivalent of sperm is known as the ovum or egg. While men can produce billions of sperm, which are highly motile, females produce much bigger eggs, which are created in the ovaries and are non-motile. The sperm is responsible for traveling through and fertilizing the egg to carry forward the reproduction process.
If the sperm is unhealthy, it can appear deformed or abnormal. Sperm with multiple tails, deformed heads, or improper midsections are known as unhealthy sperm. When sperm is unhealthy, it can have a poor rate of motility, which impacts its ability to fertilize the egg, causing infertility in men.
