[ ARC forum 2 ]
Written by Paul B. at 03 Mar 2001 11:10:31: Re: Sperm colour
As an answer to: Sperm colour written by anonymous at 06 Feb 2001 22:22:05:
I'll go one up on Timothy here. Semen is produced in two parts, which mix on
ejaculation and "gel" rather like two-part glues such as Araldite. Unlike glue,
it automatically un-gels some minutes later. The "gelling" process is of course,
to cause it to stick to the woman's cervix (even if she is vertical - animals
such as Koalas which mate in trees in this position have particularly rapidly-
gelling semen) to get the sperm in.Anyway, the relatively clear component of the semen is that from the seminal
vesicles which are behind the prostate, while the more opaque part is from the
prostate - maybe half-and-half contribution. The sperm and fluid from the vasa
deferentia contribute of the order of 1% and their absence (as after vasectomy)
is basically invisible.You will often notice one or other (or both) seminal component which may be
different in appearance to an ejaculation, ejected when (or after) straining to
pass a bowel motion.It is *not* the case anyway, that the "milky" colour denotes the presence of
sperm, and the ingredients vary a little from time to time, so do be reassured
that the appearance has no implications for your fertility.