Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
seminal plasma
References
Britannica AI Icon

seminal plasma

Written by
The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

The Information Architects maintain a master list of the topics included in the corpus of  Encyclopædia Britannica, and create and manage the relationships between them.
The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Last updated

Quick Summary

Seminal plasma is the fluid component of semen, which is emitted from the male reproductive tract and contains sperm cells. While sperm make up only a small percentage of semen's total volume, seminal plasma is crucial for keeping them viable and enabling fertilization.

This fluid is a complex mixture produced by various glands, including the seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and bulbourethral glands. These secretions provide nutrients like fructose, essential minerals, enzymes, and hormones that support sperm motility and protect them from the acidic environment of the male reproductive tract. The slightly alkaline pH of seminal plasma, along with the presence of oxygen and specific chemicals, is vital for sperm health and function. The average ejaculate volume in humans is between 2 to 5 ml.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
2 Britannica Sources
  1. semen
  2. ejaculation

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.