2023-11-19 19:15:00
Reminder: what is a sperm?
A sperm cell is a male gamete produced in the seminiferous tubules located in the testes. Its equivalent in women is the oocyte.
How many sperm are there in the testicles?
“The daily production of sperm in the testes is considerable and can reach several million per day », Specifies sexologist Sébastien Garnero. It is also important to note that the concentration of sperm in the ejaculate can vary from one person to another depending on several factors: age, living environment (toxicity of industrial chemicals, heavy metals, pesticides, etc.), pathologies, etc.
Where are these male gametes stored?
Once produced in the seminiferous tubes of the testes, the still immature spermatozoa migrate towards the epididymis to complete their maturation. They then develop their capacity for movement and movement, waiting for possible ejaculation during sexual activities.
What is the path of spermatozoa in the male genital tract?
We can schematically summarize the trajectory of spermatozoa, in the male apparatus, in seven stages. Details.
- Creation phase : “Spermatozoa are produced in the seminiferous tubes of the testicles by a complex process: spermatogenesis,” indicates Sébastien Garnero.
- Development and maturation phase in the epididymis: immature sperm migrate from the testicles to the epididymis, where they complete their maturation and develop mobility (duration of approximately 15 days).
- Waiting and storage phase in the epididymis: “The mature spermatozoa are then stored in the epididymis awaiting sexual activities which may lead to ejaculation” continues the expert.
- Deportation preparation phase via the vas deferens: during ejaculation, sperm leave the epididymis and pass through the vas deferens which connects the epididymis to the urethra.
- Phase of mixing of secretions and formation of sperm : “The sperm pass through the prostate and the seminal vesicles, where they mix with seminal secretions, thus forming sperm,” adds the sexologist.
- Urethral phase and passage of sperm : the mixture of sperm and seminal secretions then passes through the urethra during ejaculation.
- Ejaculation/spermatic expulsion phase : Semen is ejaculated from the penis via the urinary meatus via the orgasmic process, thereby expelling the sperm outside the body for possible fertilization.
“If we take this diagram of the trajectory of the spermatozoa up to the stage of ejaculation of the sperm no longer in terms of global processes but of places, we arrive at another complementary diagram in the understanding of this process”, continues- it Namely:
- Seminiferous tubule phase : germ cells participate in spermatogenesis in the seminiferous tubules of the testes, leading to the production of spermatozoa.
- Efferent duct network phase : migration of immature spermatozoa towards the seminiferous tubules via the network of efferent ducts, then towards the epididymis.
- Epididymis phase and maturation : the spermatozoa complete their maturation in the epididymis, where they acquire their mobility and transit. It is also the temporary storage location.
- Vas deferens phase : during ejaculation, the sperm leave the epididymis via a muscular conduit which extends from the testicle to the urethra.
- Vas deferens/ejaculatory duct association phase : the vas deferens combines with the ejaculatory duct to form the conduit through which sperm travel through the prostate.
- Prostate association phase : prostate secretions mix with spermatozoa and facilitate their mobility.
- Urethra phase : the mixture of sperm and seminal secretions forming sperm passes through the urethra, a conduit shared by the reproductive and urinary system.
- Expulsion phase via the urinary meatus : ejaculation occurs by the expulsion of sperm through the urinary meatus, the external opening of the urethra located at the end of the glans of the penis.
Is this journey the same for all men?
“The sperm trajectory (described previously) is similar in most physically healthy men. A plurality of factors can nevertheless disrupt their progress, such as age, pathologies or other specific medical conditions,” explains Sébastien Garnero. Here are some examples.
- Obstructions concerning the vas deferens, for example, can hinder the mobility of sperm and make it difficult for them to progress through the genital tract.
- “Alterations of the prostate can also disrupt the composition of prostate secretions and thus affect sperm quality,” illustrates the specialist.
- Varicocele problems : a dilation of the veins in the scrotum, called varicocele, can also cause fertility problems by altering the temperature (too much heat) of the testicles and therefore the sperm.
- Certain hormonal dysfunctions or disorders (hypogonadism, hyperprolactinemia, Klinefelter syndrome, anorchidism, etc.), can disrupt spermatogenesis and influence sperm production.
- Genital, urinary, viral infections… can impair sperm quality and affect the overall health of the male reproductive system.
- But also: in the event of specific urological pathologies Anterograde ejaculation type, some or all of the semen is ejaculated into the bladder rather than being expelled via the urethra outside the body. “This phenomenon can come from bladder sphincter disorders or neurological problems,” specifies the sexologist. In case of retrograde ejaculation, the sperm present in the ejaculated semen can be recovered in the urine following the sexual act. “In these last two cases, the path of the spermatozoa is completely altered and diverted from the normal path,” he continues.
Please note: these variations can impact fertility and often require a thorough medical evaluation to determine the underlying cause and consider appropriate solutions.
What is the path of sperm through the female apparatus towards the egg?
The journey of sperm through the female reproductive tract during sexual intercourse also takes place in several stages.
- Phase vaginale following ejaculation in the vagina: sperm are expelled into the top of the vagina following ejaculation. The vaginal mucosa thus provides a temporary but favorable environment for sperm.
- Cervical phase : cervical mucus, produced by the cervix, varies during the menstrual cycle. Just before ovulation, it becomes more fluid and permeable to sperm, which will facilitate their passage through the cervix.
- Uterus contraction phase : sperm continue to progress through the uterus, which can exert muscular contractions to help move.
- Passage phase in the fallopian tubes : the meeting between a sperm and an egg generally takes place in the ampullary part of the fallopian tubes. Fertilization then transforms the egg into a zygote.
- Migration phase towards the uterus : the zygote, now called the morula, divides on its way to the uterus.
- Phase d’implantation : the morula finally reaches the uterus and continues its process of cell divisions. The resulting embryo will then implant into the uterine lining to begin embryonic development.”
This relatively complex process allows the sperm to continue their progression despite certain anatomical obstacles at the discretion of the female reproductive system, to finally reach the egg, and initiate a pregnancy in the event of successful fertilization.
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