How does Zinc affect Sperm and Semen volume?
Zinc plays an important role in spermatogenesis and ensures that both semen and sperm are of high quality. Zinc supplements have the following benefits on semen:
- Increased sperm motility. Sperm, which carries the male DNA, must be adequately healthy to move back and forth in order to reach the female egg. Healthy sperms swim well, and zinc has a big part in making this a possibility.
- Increased sperm count and sperm volume. Oxidative damage reduces the number of quality sperms. Zinc supplements for sperm count act as an antioxidant to counter this damage.
- Increased seminal fluid. Zinc affects semen thickness and can increase ejaculate volume. According to one user, zinc causes semen to turn creamy-white and thick. But after discontinuing zinc supplements, semen becomes watery.
What is Zinc?
The mineral zinc (symbol: Zn) is the second most abundant trace mineral in the body, after iron. It is important in immune function, protein synthesis, DNA synthesis, cell division, and wound healing.
It is a powerful antioxidant that can slow down the aging process of muscles and skins.
This mineral is also necessary for the male reproductive system’s normal functioning. For this reason, males aged 14 years and above must take 11 milligrams of zinc daily through their diet or zinc supplements.
How Semen is Made?
Semen is a viscous liquid released by the male reproductive system during ejaculation.
Sperm cells are produced in the testes or testicles (through a process called “spermatogenesis”) before they are stored in the epididymis. During sex, sperms pass through the vas deferens, ejaculatory ducts, and male urethra as they race towards the egg inside the female body.
But an ejaculate is not only made up of sperms; secretions from the prostate glands, seminal vesicles, and bulbourethral glands are added to the sperm. All these components — sperm and secretions — make up the semen.
The Nutrition of Semen
The nutritional content of semen is subjective and is largely affected by a man’s diet and age. While “semen calories” are stated to range from 5 to 25 calories per serving, in reality, a typical 3.4-ml ejaculate contains only less than 1 calorie.
Semen is 1% sperm and the rest of its nutritional composition is made up of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. One thing is certain though: semen contains a high level of zinc (around 3% of US RDA). This just shows that seminal zinc has a big part in sperm and semen production (source).
Conclusion
Quality sperm and increased volume of semen lead to increased potency and higher chances of a successful impregnation. It is not bad too to have a bigger load which could bring more pleasure from contractions you experience during sex. And zinc helps a lot in achieving these things.
Although zinc is present in most types of foods (like meat, milk, and fish), the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that a third of the world’s population still suffers from zinc deficiency.
While many factors affecting sperm quality and semen consistency (like heredity and age) are out of your control, other means (like diet, exercise, and male vitamin supplements) can be easily done by you. As the ultimate semen booster, zinc can go a long way to improve male fertility.
