Semen is the cloudy white bodily fluid that is emitted from the urethra and out of the penis during ejaculation. This can vary slightly depending on your genes, diet, and overall health. Unless you’re experiencing other usual symptoms, temporary changes in color usually aren’t cause for concern.
How Is Semen Produced?
Sperm cells are produced in the testes, stored in the epididymis, and comprise less than 10% of semen a tidbit that may surprise you. During ejaculation, a thick-walled duct called the vas deferens carries the sperm cells from the epididymis to the urethra and then outside of the body or into the vagina by means of the penis.
As the sperm cells travel through the vas deferens, three different glands release mucous secretions (called the seminal fluid) that combine with the sperm cells to create semen. These three glands often referred to as accessory sex glands, are the bulbourethral glands (also called Cowper’s glands), the prostate gland, and the seminal vesicles.
As the sperm cells travel through the vas deferens, three different glands release mucous secretions (called the seminal fluid) that combine with the sperm cells to create semen. These three glands often referred to as accessory sex glands, are the bulbourethral glands (also called Cowper’s glands), the prostate gland, and the seminal vesicles.
What Is the Volume Ejaculated?
The volume of semen that is released during ejaculation varies among research studies, although a review study in the Journal of Andrology suggests that the average volume is around 3.4 ml. Also, two factors that may affect semen volume during ejaculation include the last time you ejaculated and hydration status.
What Do The Different Semen Colors Mean?
Clear white or gray semen
Clear, white, or gray semen is considered “normal” or healthy. The substances primarily responsible for this color are produced by your prostate gland. This includes – citric acid, acid phosphatase, calcium, sodium, zinc, potassium, protein-splitting enzymes, fibrinolysin. Other components are derived from the seminal vesicles, the bulbourethral gland, and the urethral gland.
Yellow or Green Semen
Semen with a pronounced yellow or green color may indicate an infection like the sexually transmitted infection (STI) gonorrhea. If your semen is discolored due to a gonorrhea infection (it may also have a foul smell), treatment with antibiotics prescribed by a doctor will be necessary.
Red or Brown Semen
If your semen has a red or brown appearance, it can be a sign of blood. While this may seem alarming to you, in most instances, blood in your semen (called hematospermia) is usually benign.
Clear, white, or gray semen is considered “normal” or healthy. The substances primarily responsible for this color are produced by your prostate gland. This includes – citric acid, acid phosphatase, calcium, sodium, zinc, potassium, protein-splitting enzymes, fibrinolysin. Other components are derived from the seminal vesicles, the bulbourethral gland, and the urethral gland.
Yellow or Green Semen
Semen with a pronounced yellow or green color may indicate an infection like the sexually transmitted infection (STI) gonorrhea. If your semen is discolored due to a gonorrhea infection (it may also have a foul smell), treatment with antibiotics prescribed by a doctor will be necessary.
Red or Brown Semen
If your semen has a red or brown appearance, it can be a sign of blood. While this may seem alarming to you, in most instances, blood in your semen (called hematospermia) is usually benign.
When To See A Doctor
Your semen may change color throughout your life, even when you’re in good health. But if you’re experiencing other unusual symptoms, make an appointment with a doctor or other healthcare provider.
Summary
Your semen is not as simple as you may have thought. It has lots of components to it, all of which play a role in enhancing reproduction—your sperm reaching an ovulated egg.
However, it’s important to note that the fluid part is not absolutely critical for fertilization, as evidenced by intracytoplasmic sperm injection in which a single sperm is injected into an egg. Of course, if you have any questions or concerns about your semen, please contact your doctor and don’t be embarrassed, this is what they are trained to do.
However, it’s important to note that the fluid part is not absolutely critical for fertilization, as evidenced by intracytoplasmic sperm injection in which a single sperm is injected into an egg. Of course, if you have any questions or concerns about your semen, please contact your doctor and don’t be embarrassed, this is what they are trained to do.
