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Q: What determines the amount of liquid that comes out through ejaculation?
A: Ejaculate fluid is composed of the combined secretions of the prostate, seminal vesicles, and bulbourethral glands. The volume of ejaculate varies between 1cc and 5cc of fluid. In general, the prostate contributes about 1/3 of the total amount, while the seminal vesicles and bulbourethral glands contribute about 2/3 of the total. Furthermore, the seminal vesicles also produce fructose, which then appears in the ejaculate in high concentrations. Thus, in cases in which the seminal vesicles are absent, the ejaculate does not contain any fructose. The ejaculate, of course, also contains sperm, which is produced in the testicles, as well as the male hormone, testosterone. Note also that sperm density decreases after multiple ejaculations. Therefore, in the evaluation of sperm density in the case of infertile couples, this is usually performed after 3 days of abstinence from ejaculation, in order to have the maximum possible sperm count for the particular individual being evaluated.
Updated: 07/10/99
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