Glossary
Semen
The fluid released during ejaculation, a mixture of sperm cells and seminal fluid.
What is semen?
Semen is the fluid released during ejaculation: a mixture of sperm cells and seminal fluid. Only a few percent is sperm cells; the rest is fluid that feeds and protects them. An ejaculation is a few milliliters on average and contains a hundred to two hundred million sperm cells.
| Sperm vs semen | the cells are called sperm; the whole fluid is semen |
| In Dutch | sperma; also zaad, zaadvocht |
| Made of | sperm cells plus seminal fluid from the prostate and seminal vesicles |
| Amount | about 2 to 6 milliliters per ejaculation |
| Number of sperm cells | 100 to 200 million, roughly 20 to 50 million per milliliter |
| Falls under | sexual response cycle |
What semen is made of
Sperm cells are only a small part of the story. According to Wikipedia, the largest part of semen, around 97 to 99 percent, is seminal fluid, which comes one third from the prostate and two thirds from the seminal vesicles. That fluid is not a side matter: it feeds the sperm cells, protects them against the acidic environment in the vagina, and helps them on their way. Prostaglandins, fructose, and enzymes supply the energy and protection the sperm cells need en route.
Amount and fertility
The numbers say something about fertility, not about masculinity. According to 24Baby, an ejaculation releases 2 to 6 milliliters on average, with 100 to 200 million sperm cells. The World Health Organization holds 15 million sperm cells per milliliter as the lower limit; below that, people speak of reduced fertility. But amount alone doesn’t tell the whole story: the shape and the motility of the sperm cells also determine the chance of fertilization. This is a glossary page, not medical advice. For questions about fertility, go to your GP.
Where this fits on this site
Semen is biology, not a service I provide, but it belongs in an honest glossary about sex. If you’re curious how a meeting goes and what gets agreed beforehand, including around safety, take a look at my services. You can always call or message me first, without promising anything.
Sources
- Sperma. Wikipedia. Gives that semen is a fluid with sperm cells, that 97 to 99 percent is seminal fluid, one third from the prostate and two thirds from the seminal vesicles, and that the fluid feeds and protects the sperm cells.
- Sperma: alles over de mannelijke zaadcel. 24Baby. Gives that an ejaculation is 2 to 6 milliliters on average with 100 to 200 million sperm cells, and that the WHO holds 15 million per milliliter as the lower limit for fertility.
Related terms
- Sexual response cycle. The physical response in which ejaculation takes place.
- Ejaculation. The moment of release in which semen comes out.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about this term
What is semen?
Semen is the fluid released during ejaculation: a mixture of sperm cells and seminal fluid. Only a few percent is sperm cells; the rest is fluid that feeds and protects them. An ejaculation is 2 to 6 milliliters on average and contains 100 to 200 million sperm cells.
What is semen made of?
The largest part, around 97 to 99 percent, is seminal fluid, which comes one third from the prostate and two thirds from the seminal vesicles. That fluid feeds the sperm cells and protects them against the acidic environment in the vagina. Only a few percent is the sperm cells themselves.
Who can you turn to with questions about semen?
For questions about semen or fertility, your GP or a fertility clinic is the right place. I’m Victor, a gigolo, not a doctor, but I’m happy to talk about how a safe, discreet meeting goes, with no obligation or through free chat.
Learn more
Still have questions about semen?
Semen is biology, not a service I provide. For questions about fertility, your GP is the right place. Curious how a safe, discreet meeting with me goes? Feel free to reach out, I take the time for your question.