The spermatic cord - what is it and what is its structure?

The spermatozoon is the male gamete, or reproductive cell, of a man. Its function is to fertilise the woman's egg and pass on the man's genetic material to the offspring. It consists of heads, inserts and vitae.

The sperm head contains a cell nucleus and an acrosome, which is formed at the top of the head from a fragment of the Golgi apparatus. The acrosome, located at the front of the sperm head, contains hydrolytic enzymes that allow the sperm to penetrate through the cells of the radial rim and the transparent envelope into the egg and fertilise it. In properly formed spermatozoa, the acrosome should occupy between 40% and 70% of the sperm head surface. The sperm cell membrane contains an equatorial ring - this is a cavity in the cell membrane located near the posterior part of the acrosome. In the posterior part, the sperm head is slightly concave on the cervical side. In mature spermatozoa, the cell nucleus is haploid, meaning that it has a single chromosome suit (23 chromosomes). The chromatin (composed mainly of DNA and proteins) in the sperm cell nucleus is highly condensed. The assessment of chromatin packing is an important indicator of the course of spermatogenesis and the quality of the paternal genome.

The vitellum, which ensures the movement of the spermatozoon, consists of a cervix, an insertion, a main part and a terminal part. The cervix connects to the sperm head. Two centrioles are located here. One of these is involved in the formation of the axonemal fibre, which is the basic apparatus of sperm motility running the entire length of the vitellum. The inserter contains numerous mitochondria arranged spirally around the axonemal fibre, thus providing a kind of 'energy centre' for the sperm cell providing it with a store of energy for movement. The insert is about the same length as the sperm head. It is also the thickest part of the entire vitellum. The head part of the vitellum contains the axoneme surrounded by thick fibres and a fibrous sheath, while the terminal part contains only the axonemal fibre (without the sheath) surrounded only by the cell membrane. In properly formed spermatozoa, the vitellum is straight or slightly curved, but may not be broken or looped.

The mature spermatic cord reaches a length of about 60 micrometres. Its head is 5-6 micrometres long and about 3 micrometres wide.

Sperm cells - where do we find them?

Mature sperm are stored in the epididymis and seminal vesicles. They are released during ejaculation. Sperm transport in the male genital tract is passive, depending on the pressure of the intracanalicular fluid in the testis and epididymis and the peristaltic movements of the vas deferens.

After ejaculation, most of the sperm enters the cervical region. Some of them actively enter the uterine cavity and then the fallopian tubes. In the bulb of the fallopian tube - its widest part - fertilisation takes place.

How long do sperm live?

The viability of sperm depends on the temperature and pH of the environment in which they reside. The quality of cervical mucus has a great influence on the survival time of sperm in the female genital tract. The mucus secreted under the influence of increased oestrogen concentrations is thin, clear and abundant and has a slightly alkaline pH of approx. 7-8. Under these conditions, sperm usually survive 48 to 72 hours from ejaculation, but there are times when there is a sperm in the oviduct bubble capable of fertilisation up to 80 hours after ejaculation.

If abnormal mucus of lower pH and higher density (cloudy, whitish mucus) affects the semen, sperm viability is reduced to a few hours or more. Sperm survival also decreases with increasing temperature.

The spermatic cord - what affects male fertility?

Too high a temperature(sauna, prolonged fever, sedentary lifestyle resulting in overheating of the testes) can also cause morphological abnormalities of the sperm, denaturation of their proteins and DNA damage.

Sperm capable of fertilisation are characterised by:

- intact DNA

- high service life

- considerable mobility

- capacity for capacitation and acrosomal reaction

- the presence of relevant receptors recognised by the oocyte.

One of the primary causes of infertility in men is abnormalities in the structure of the sperm and its genetic material. The cause of these destructive changes is often referred to as the "disruptive change". oxidative stress, a condition in which an excess of reactive oxygen species and other oxidising agents outweighs the body's antioxidant capacity. Free radicals damage the nuclei, vascular endothelium, supporting cells and Leydig cells. Cell membranes are unsealed, genetic material is damaged and sperm apoptosis (programmed death) occurs. The number and concentration of spermatozoa decreases and sperm quality and motility deteriorates. Oxidative stress also decreases testosterone synthesis causing a decrease in libido or total impotence.

Balance in the body can be restored natural antioxidants. Particularly effective in the context of male fertility are:

- zinc

- selenium

- vitamin C

- L-carnitine.

The following may also prove helpful:

- glutathione and its precursor N-acetylcysteine

- vitamin E

- coenzyme Q10.

Folic acid and folate, on the other hand, are necessary for the correct synthesis of genetic material. Among the dietary ingredients that increase sperm motility is L-arginine. This is an amino acid which, through its effect on the release of nitric oxide, also stimulates libido.

On the market you will find a variety of dietary supplements developed for men who are trying to have a child and want to support their fertility. When selecting the preparations, it is worth paying attention to whether the supplement has the appropriate laboratory tests. Then we can be sure that the content of active ingredients in the preparation is consistent with that declared by the manufacturer. Medicover Vital Fertility Men is a dietary supplement developed by pharmacists for men over 18 years of age who are trying to have a baby. The capsules contain micro- and macronutrients, including zinc, which helps to maintain normal fertility and reproductive function, and selenium, which contributes to normal spermatogenesis. In addition, the synergistic action of all ingredients contributes to the maintenance of normal testosterone levels in the blood and the improvement of general well-being. The formula is friendly to people on a gluten-free diet and is also free of sugar and colourings.

Another cause of male infertility is immunological reactions. For example, igG and IgA antibodies produced during infection directed against Chlamydia trachomatis adversely affect semen quality. Also, obstruction of the sperm ducts contributes to the development of autoimmunity. Most men undergoing vasectomy develop class A and G antisperm immunoglobulins. The antibodies bind to the sperm causing them to agglutinate, inhibit capacitation or the acrosomal reaction and prevent them from fertilising the oocyte.

The inability to conceive a child can also have an iatrogenic cause. Drugs that negatively affect male fertility include:

- oncology drugs

- colchicine

- allopurinol

- certain antibiotics (nitrofurantoin, tetracyclines, gentamicin, neomycin, erythromycin)

- cimetidine

- sulfasalazine

- spironolactone

- prazosin

- hormones (anabolics, oestrogens, androgens, gonadotropin analogues)

- certain antidepressants (MAO inhibitors)

- chronic aspirin use.

Despite many reports, the adverse effects of other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on semen quality have not been proven.

A much greater threat to male fertility is posed by stimulants and drugs. Compulsive smoking leading to oxidative stress and DNA damage results in reduced fertility parameters and the occurrence of malformations in the offspring. Excessive alcohol consumption is also not conducive to fertility. Long-term use of cannabis, on the other hand, reduces sperm count and ejaculate volume, and impairs the motility and quality of male reproductive cells.