Talk:Spermatogenesis

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Contents 1 Heat and spermatogenesis 2 Storage 3 Medieval Spermatogenesis 4 Blood used

[edit] Heat and spermatogenesis

Someone should research and write the information concerning the temperature at which spermatogenesis will actually occur. They should also comment on how the scrotum helps to regulate this temperature as needed to halt or start spermatogenesis. This information would also be useful for those of use that get really saggy balls after sex and have trouble sleeping because of it. You know then every one would know that a cold pack on the taint will tighten those suckers back up. I am completely serious about this because I was just perusing wikipedia for the same information after this exact situation. MCP 05:24, 29 December 2005 (UTC)

The textbook answer is that spermatogenesis occurs at 2-4 degrees celsius below body temperature. Occupational exposure to heat (e.g extended sitting, bakery workers) has been associated with male infertility.

The anatomy of the scrotum (in humans) keeps its contents cooler than the rest of the body (low fat content in the subcutaneous tissue and a counter-current heat exchanger in the cord). The purpose of such regulation is to keep spermatogenesis going. i.e it is not regulated in a stop/start fashion. I don't know if that happens in any animal species.

When I get some time, I'll add this section to the article. I don't have the relevant references handy right now.Tony Makhlouf

Thank you, that kind of info was very useful, but there is one question I have. If spermatogenesis is continuous without halting, what keeps your nutz from exploding. Seriously? Maybe you should add the bodies solution for that too, so there are few questions concerning that. MCP 08:13, 30 December 2005 (UTC)

Remember, sperm only makes up a small amount of ejaculate, most of it is semen. I suppose the sperm is just reabsorbed... (see phagocytosis). Also, apparantly laptops are *really* bad for this process, and shouldn't ever be kept on the lap. Apparantly.

My question is - why demand lower temperatures? I have heard a lot that testicles are external due to spermatogenesis requiring lower temperatures, but why? Whats so special about it that it bucks the trend of all the other body processes? I thought 37-40 °C is as good as it gets for organic reactions within mammals? I feel as a male who's been kicked in the nuts once or twice it is owed to us to know why they're there? - Jak (talk) 02:47, 9 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Storage

According to "endocrinology, an integrated approach" : Sperm can be stored up to 5 weeks in the tail of the epididymis and vas deferens before they are released at ejaculation. In the absence of ejaculation sperm dribble into the urethra and are washed away in the urine. In men who have undergone a vasectomy (ligation of the vas deferens) sperm build up behind the ligation and are either removed by phagocytosis in the epididymis or leak through the epididymal wall. 5/06/06

Do you have the full source info for this statement? Ya know, so others can read the source text? - Jak (talk) 02:34, 9 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Medieval Spermatogenesis

The medieval theory of spermatogenesis was quite different from this. They believed that the sperm was actually male's "purest form" of blood, and that when ejaculation occured in the vagina, this sperm mixed with the cooler female blood, which created some sort of "bond" between the two. It was one of the reasons to forbid premarital sex, because the partners would then be linked somehow and a further marriage would be incestious. I don't know a lot about the subject, but i do remember reading it one book, i'll try to find that source. Should this be included in this article, since it is so different, or to another page? --MateoP 16:38, 2 February 2006 (UTC)

A very fine detail of the history of medicine. The science should be established before the history. Maybe later - Jak (talk) 02:47, 9 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Blood used

Another Question: I have heard things like "50 drops of blood being used for the creation of one drop of Semen"!! Seriously. Can someone tell me whether there is any role of blood in Spermatogenesis? Why is that we feel pale and exhausted after sex?? I have been doing a serious peruse of wikipedia for this!!

If this is true, it will be that one drop of semen is the filtrate of 50 drops of blood. The other 49 drops of blood will continue to flow around the body. You feel exhausted because of all the exercise and/or overheating - Jak (talk) 02:47, 9 July 2006 (UTC)