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Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: Karen W. on 10/09/2009 11:12:30

Title: What makes sperm smell? Can a Vasectomy change sperm odour?
Post by: Karen W. on 10/09/2009 11:12:30
Well I think this was asked before, sort of, but I am asking again!

Not only that but does sperm vary in odor from one man to the next?

Say Joe blow over there has had a vasectomy say 21 years ago, and his sperm has a very pungent odor to it.

Now say, Popeye over here had a vasectomy a week or two ago,.. will Popeye's sperm smell different then Joe blow's sperm..or will his be less odoriferous?

When one is shooting blanks does the odor of the sperm change.... Or does a vasectomy do have nothing to do with sperm odor?

We know food affects taste but what about smell?

I am confused and curious!

Title: What makes a mans sperm more pungent smelling? Can a Vasectomy change odor?
Post by: Nizzle on 10/09/2009 16:08:57
The taste/smell of sperm is largely depending not on the spermatozoids but on the semen fluid, which is created in the seminal vesicle.

Since a vasectomy occurs between the testicles and the seminal vesicle, a vasectomized man's semen could taste/smell slightly different, due to the lack of spermatozoids, but there would be no difference between Popeye and Joe Blow.

As you already said, food influences taste greatly, and I believe the smell will be affected too, in combination with the man's showering frequency [;)]
Title: What makes a mans sperm more pungent smelling? Can a Vasectomy change odor?
Post by: Don_1 on 10/09/2009 16:14:09
Hmmm! Well Karen, I can't say as I've done a survey on different mens ejaculation pongs.

Possibly this is just as well, or I might have gotten the odd damn good thrashing on a number of occasions, or attracted some unsought attention from those who, for the want of a better phrase, 'swing the other way'.

Truth of the matter is, I never even thought to get a sample of my own 'bouquet' when I was a younger man who had 'lead in his pencil'.  Having had the old snipperooney some years ago, I now have no lead in my pencil (not that I've got anyone to write to anyway) and it still hasn't occurred to me to get a whiff of my, ermmm, fragrance.

But I guess there would be no difference, except perhaps after the lapse of a few hours. When I (how can I put this delicately) errrr, 'arrive' there is a tadpole-free ejaculation. My little tadders are diverted onto a different route out of the body. So while a chappy with 'loaded, live' errr, stuff, would have dying Wrigley things in his whatsitsname, mine would not have any such animation, so it just might not have quite the same effect on the old conk.

There, I think I've given a highly technical answer, without the use of long medical terms or vulgarities.

Nob Oh! Sorry, that slipped out. ------- Put it away you dirty old sod!
Title: What makes a mans sperm more pungent smelling? Can a Vasectomy change odor?
Post by: Variola on 10/09/2009 17:14:16
Quote
The taste/smell of sperm is largely depending not on the spermatozoids but on the semen fluid, which is created in the seminal vesicle.

Since a vasectomy occurs between the testicles and the seminal vesicle, a vasectomized man's semen could taste/smell slightly different, due to the lack of spermatozoids, but there would be no difference between Popeye and Joe Blow.

But don't they also collect fluid from the prostate on the way?

I don't think a Vasectomy would make as much difference as the general natural differences between men's ejaculate. Some men's smell much stronger than others, other taste more salty, some are whiter whereas others are more translucent, and consistency varies too.
I actually have no idea what causes the difference, and have often wondered as such, but presumed it's just the natural genetics differences between men.

Te richest person in the world will be the one who invents a pill that makes it taste like chocolate..
Title: What makes a mans sperm more pungent smelling? Can a Vasectomy change odor?
Post by: Don_1 on 10/09/2009 17:26:27
I think it might be a big, BIG mistake, to ask how you accumilated so much knowledge on this matter.
Title: What makes a mans sperm more pungent smelling? Can a Vasectomy change odor?
Post by: Variola on 10/09/2009 17:50:38
Quote
I think it might be a big, BIG mistake, to ask how you accumilated so much knowledge on this matter.


 [:D] [;D] [;D] [;D] [;D] [;D]

Title: What makes a mans sperm more pungent smelling? Can a Vasectomy change odor?
Post by: BenV on 10/09/2009 20:49:42
I would have thought the most influential factor would simply be hydration.
Title: What makes a mans sperm more pungent smelling? Can a Vasectomy change odor?
Post by: Variola on 10/09/2009 23:02:45
I would have thought the most influential factor would simply be hydration.

Really? But aren't the testes a separate environment from the blood system and as such have there own regulatory factors? i.e sertoli (sp?) cells etc
Title: What makes a mans sperm more pungent smelling? Can a Vasectomy change odor?
Post by: Karen W. on 11/09/2009 01:05:22
The taste/smell of sperm is largely depending not on the spermatozoids but on the semen fluid, which is created in the seminal vesicle.

Since a vasectomy occurs between the testicles and the seminal vesicle, a vasectomized man's semen could taste/smell slightly different, due to the lack of spermatozoids, but there would be no difference between Popeye and Joe Blow.

As you already said, food influences taste greatly, and I believe the smell will be affected too, in combination with the man's showering frequency [;)]

Thanks Nizzle... that does make since!
so with the sperm still active it may well have a stronger more pungent odor! or vice versa when compared to someone shooting blanks!

Ben.. hydration was a good point... I never thought of that.......
so say Joe blow has an unpleasant pungent odor to his sperm
do you think water will help eliminate the odor and make it more easy to live with?
lets throw a lubricated rubber ( profilactic ) intor the mix....Having had little experience with them..is it possible that the lubrication on them could cause an unpleasant odor....?
Title: What makes a mans sperm more pungent smelling? Can a Vasectomy change odor?
Post by: Variola on 11/09/2009 01:32:01
Quote
so say Joe blow has an unpleasant pungent odor to his sperm
do you think water will help eliminate the odor and make it more easy to live with?

If the smell is that strong and unbearable then he would have to go to the doc as it maybe a sign of prostate infection.

It is the fluid part of the semen that smells, it would not alter significantly as it has to remain at a certain ratio of it's component parts in order to nourish the protect the sperm.
The testes are specifically kept away from much of the blood system to protects the mature and developing sperm.

Condoms are smelly anyway... but unless you had a good sniff of the semen whilst it was still inside the condom ( and why on earth would anyone want to?) It wont make any difference to the smell in general.
Title: What makes a mans sperm more pungent smelling? Can a Vasectomy change odor?
Post by: Karen W. on 11/09/2009 11:12:00
Thats interesting... i am still curious though! i also tend to think like you said that it is likely to be just the differences in men..
Title: What makes a mans sperm more pungent smelling? Can a Vasectomy change odor?
Post by: chris on 11/09/2009 12:00:56
It really amazes me when I read magazine articles or discussion threads in which medically ignorant "authorities" give women advice on how to make their men taste "sweeter", because most of the "guidance" dwells on rubbish about eating pineapple, avoiding cinnamon and the role of "dietary factors".

These aspects may make a small contribution to the aroma and flavour, but the thing that is universally overlooked is the anatomical fact that the route taken by semen to exit the body is via the urethra, a plumbing structure which is shared with the bladder.

As a result, the urethra will almost continuously contain low levels of urea, salts and other components of urine because (it's probably fair to say) most men urinate more often than they ejaculate.

Consequently, these urinary leftovers will become "admixed" with an ejaculate when it happens and, depending upon their concentration, will make a lesser or greater impact on flavour. Urea, which is present in modest amounts, has a very bitter taste. It can also be metabolised to ammonia by bacteria, which can be present if the person has an infection.

Significantly, and as has been alluded to above, the concentration of urea and other salts in urine is dependent upon body hydration. Someone with a low prior fluid intake will produce a more concentrated urine and hence the residuum left in the urethra is likely to be more concentrated, meaning that the taste it imparts to any semen will be more pronounced.

Thus, for the nicest taste, I would recommend (from a physiological rather than practical perspective I hasten to add) that drinking plenty of water and then taking a long leak prior to any activity of an oral persuasion would be the simplest and most effective way to bolster the bouquet.

Chris
Title: What makes a mans sperm more pungent smelling? Can a Vasectomy change odor?
Post by: Don_1 on 11/09/2009 12:36:42
It really amazes me when I read magazine articles or discussion threads in which medically ignorant "authorities" give women advice on how to make their men taste "sweeter", because most of the "guidance" dwells on rubbish about eating pineapple, avoiding cinnamon and the role of "dietary factors".

Chris

Wouldn't this be taking the phrase 'you are what you eat' a tad too literally.

I would suggest a better idea would be to lay flat on your back and get an obliging person to pour some aftershave down the (https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Fsmileys%2Fsmiley-shocked007.gif&hash=7797173f1d4c98f174d74e856526edbc) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php) AGHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh (https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbestsmileys.com%2Fhyper%2F9.gif&hash=06b3fcd0559e169f8f697978ffcf9437)Geeeeeze, that smarts....... maybe that wasn't such a good idea after all.
Title: What makes a mans sperm more pungent smelling? Can a Vasectomy change odor?
Post by: Variola on 11/09/2009 13:22:55
Quote
Significantly, and as has been alluded to above, the concentration of urea and other salts in urine is dependent upon body hydration. Someone with a low prior fluid intake will produce a more concentrated urine and hence the residuum left in the urethra is likely to be more concentrated, meaning that the taste it imparts to any semen will be more pronounced.



Hmmm but the function of pre-cum was to, 'clean the pipes' as it were and neutralize any urea left in there as it is not favourable to sperm. Therefore I am not sure how much of a contributory effect the 'leftovers' would have on taste, or smell. 


Quote
Thus, for the nicest taste, I would recommend (from a physiological rather than practical perspective I hasten to add) that drinking plenty of water and then taking a long leak prior to any activity of an oral persuasion would be the simplest and most effective way to bolster the bouquet.

I'm not sure bolstering the bouquet is desirable!!  [xx(] Obviously being well hydrated is beneficial for anything, but I doubt that it would have much impact on the smell of semen, as Karen had suggested above.

My money is still on the genetic differences between men cause the smell difference rather than anything dietary or fluid intake.



Title: What makes a mans sperm more pungent smelling? Can a Vasectomy change odor?
Post by: Nizzle on 11/09/2009 13:36:36
pre-cum
I love it when girls talk dirrrrty [;)]

My money is still on the genetic differences between men cause the smell difference rather than anything dietary or fluid intake.

Isn't semen a pretty standard recipe?

Title: What makes a mans sperm more pungent smelling? Can a Vasectomy change odor?
Post by: Variola on 11/09/2009 14:23:33
Quote
I love it when girls talk dirrrrty
[;D] [;D]

Quote
Isn't semen a pretty standard recipe?

Yep sperm all need the same mix of sugars, salts and enzymes etc to survive inside the vagina, hence my post above where I said I doubted the semen would be 'diluted down' by a greater intake of water.

We need to figure out what part of the semen is making it pong, and why some men smell more than others. I am guessing it is a genetics factor, in the same way our sweat smells different from person to person. As mentioned above there are many other variables to semen too none of which can be directed back to something specific.


Title: What makes a mans sperm more pungent smelling? Can a Vasectomy change odor?
Post by: Karen W. on 11/09/2009 16:21:12
It really amazes me when I read magazine articles or discussion threads in which medically ignorant "authorities" give women advice on how to make their men taste "sweeter", because most of the "guidance" dwells on rubbish about eating pineapple, avoiding cinnamon and the role of "dietary factors".

These aspects may make a small contribution to the aroma and flavour, but the thing that is universally overlooked is the anatomical fact that the route taken by semen to exit the body is via the urethra, a plumbing structure which is shared with the bladder.

As a result, the urethra will almost continuously contain low levels of urea, salts and other components of urine because (it's probably fair to say) most men urinate more often than they ejaculate.

Consequently, these urinary leftovers will become "admixed" with an ejaculate when it happens and, depending upon their concentration, will make a lesser or greater impact on flavour. Urea, which is present in modest amounts, has a very bitter taste. It can also be metabolised to ammonia by bacteria, which can be present if the person has an infection.

Significantly, and as has been alluded to above, the concentration of urea and other salts in urine is dependent upon body hydration. Someone with a low prior fluid intake will produce a more concentrated urine and hence the residuum left in the urethra is likely to be more concentrated, meaning that the taste it imparts to any semen will be more pronounced.

Thus, for the nicest taste, I would recommend (from a physiological rather than practical perspective I hasten to add) that drinking plenty of water and then taking a long leak prior to any activity of an oral persuasion would be the simplest and most effective way to bolster the bouquet.

Chris

Thank Chris for contributing your very valued opinion to my thread.
I am only referring to an odor as you noted the bouquet. So thanks.. It makes since if the body is dehydrated that there may be a higher probability that it be stronger because of where it travels and if one is not illimination very well nor taking in the required amount of liquid to make up that normal mix of sperm etc, for the ejaculate then I can understand how it may be stronger smelling then a well hydrated and evacuated mans sperm...
Thanks Chris for the professional view. I appreciate it!
Title: What makes a mans sperm more pungent smelling? Can a Vasectomy change odor?
Post by: Karen W. on 11/09/2009 16:27:24
Quote
so say Joe blow has an unpleasant pungent odor to his sperm
do you think water will help eliminate the odor and make it more easy to live with?

If the smell is that strong and unbearable then he would have to go to the doc as it maybe a sign of prostate infection.

It is the fluid part of the semen that smells, it would not alter significantly as it has to remain at a certain ratio of it's component parts in order to nourish the protect the sperm.
The testes are specifically kept away from much of the blood system to protects the mature and developing sperm.

Condoms are smelly anyway... but unless you had a good sniff of the semen whilst it was still inside the condom ( and why on earth would anyone want to?) It wont make any difference to the smell in general.

Doesn't the vasectomy alter the Ratio of the sperm to fluid mix.... leaving less or no sperm eventually some weeks after, and only fluid flowing into and the urethra area some weeks after a vasectomy has been completed...?
Title: What makes a mans sperm more pungent smelling? Can a Vasectomy change odor?
Post by: Karen W. on 11/09/2009 16:38:13
pre-cum
I love it when girls talk dirrrrty [;)]

My money is still on the genetic differences between men cause the smell difference rather than anything dietary or fluid intake.

Isn't semen a pretty standard recipe?


Wouldn't that depend on the available amounts of the proper liquid to sperm mix coinciding with hydration also?
Certainly a vasectomy alters that perfect mix and changes the status of the fluid to sperm ratio then making the enviornment less then ideal for sperm, Not to mention the sperm should start being slowly illiminated altogether as the weeks progress, to the point there is no sperm injected into that mix as it has been cut and tied off. So ideally there will eventually there should be no sperm entering the other fluid and the sperm that is produced will if all goes well be reabsorbed into the body before the point of cut and tie..etc......?
Title: What makes a mans sperm more pungent smelling? Can a Vasectomy change odor?
Post by: Variola on 11/09/2009 16:39:27
Quote
Doesn't the vasectomy alter the Ratio of the sperm to fluid mix.... leaving less or no sperm eventually some weeks after, and only fluid flowing into and the urethra area some weeks after a vasectomy has been completed...?


Yep but it's not the sperm themselves that smell (to my knowledge). By component parts of semen I meant the balance of sugars, enzymes salts etc
Title: What makes a mans sperm more pungent smelling? Can a Vasectomy change odor?
Post by: Karen W. on 12/09/2009 14:13:55
Thanks for that Variola.. now I understand what you mean..
Title: What makes a mans sperm more pungent smelling? Can a Vasectomy change odor?
Post by: Patel on 23/12/2009 14:00:17
I know sperm is only 3% of semen but I'm sure that semen has an other smell and odor after vasectomy. Since I'm vasectomized women say my cum smells better and the taste is softer. On the web I found many persons (men and women) with the same experience. Some people says that the cum of a vasectomized man is lighter and a little more watery. It's my experience too and I know some urologists who inform their patients for this before... But the differences before/after vasectomy are smaller than the differences between different men so you can't recognize if a man is snipped if you didn't know him before.
 
Title: What makes a mans sperm more pungent smelling? Can a Vasectomy change odor?
Post by: Karen W. on 24/12/2009 02:35:43
Here  is the deal.. The gentleman that was my partner at this time, That I refer, had just had a vasectomy about a week to 10 days prior to our coupling..lol Now I noticed this very bad odor as removed the condom.. to dispose of it.. because the odor grabbed my nose, and not being sure where it came from, I raised the condom up closer to discover it was the sperm inside the condom that was so strong and very very unpleasant..., worrisome really and not only was the smell bad but the color was rather darkish like off blackish green kinda.. thin and barely any there.. what was there was very strong and  made me worry... not for me but for him...

I was very polite, and simply said nothing, as this was our first encounter.... I was not sure as to what to say or how to ask so I simply did not ask...So what do you think now?
Title: What makes a mans sperm more pungent smelling? Can a Vasectomy change odor?
Post by: Karen W. on 28/12/2009 12:33:19
I know sperm is only 3% of semen but I'm sure that semen has an other smell and odor after vasectomy. Since I'm vasectomized women say my cum smells better and the taste is softer. On the web I found many persons (men and women) with the same experience. Some people says that the cum of a vasectomized man is lighter and a little more watery. It's my experience too and I know some urologists who inform their patients for this before... But the differences before/after vasectomy are smaller than the differences between different men so you can't recognize if a man is snipped if you didn't know him before.
 
Thank you for this answer and the message you were very helpful.. I appreciate your candor Patel!
Title: Re: What makes a mans sperm more pungent smelling? Can a Vasectomy change odor?
Post by: HappyHubby on 31/01/2012 02:02:31
This may be an old topic but I thought it relevant to post for the benefit of others.

I had a vasectomy when I was around 26. Prior to this my semen was what I would consider to be normal, neither strong in taste or smell which was very well received so to speak.
I am also very very particular about personal hygiene and had never had any problems regarding the smell from semen on my penis.

Since my vasectomy my semen changed almost over night. It had a much stronger chlorine like smell and I mean much stronger. I also found that even the slightest residue left on my penis for even a short time soon smelt rather smelly.
It was as though my semen had become an overnight bacteria trap able to decompose very quickly.

My wife also noticed the change in my semen so much so that I no longer ejaculate inside her as she is also a very hygienic person who is lucky enough to have no vaginal odour at all. The choice to withdraw was my own as I feel it is unfair to impose my fluid onto her given the circumstances.

The quantity of seminal fluid post vasectomy was also reduced and the colour changed to now having a very slight yellow tinge. Following ejaculation I have also found that sometimes even after a good meticulous shower or bath I can still smell the slight odour which does increase as the day progresses.

Although this is a pretty embarrassing subject for a man to talk about I feel it is important to share my views.

Would I recommend a vasectomy? No is the answer based on my experience but that is only my personal view.

I do have a strong suspicion that this problem is far more common amongst post vasectomy men than is portrayed, simply because most men don't like to talk about it. However a simple google search and judging by the number of views that this thread has gained, I do feel that I am not alone.

Fortunately for me my gorgeous wife is very loving and understanding. I am very fortunate in that respect but had I been a single man who was seeking a new relationship I know how self concious I would feel.

I hope my experience is of value to someone and remember that it doesn't change the person but it can change the reaction of others.

This is a fine way to introduce myself here  :I :I :I :0 ;)

Best wishes to all
HH
Title: Re: What makes a mans sperm more pungent smelling? Can a Vasectomy change odor?
Post by: chris on 31/01/2012 17:48:00
Thank you, for this candid account; though I can't offer any explanation for your experience and I've not come across anyone else reporting the same... unless there are some here on the forum who could comment?
Title: Re: What makes sperm smell? Can a Vasectomy change sperm odour?
Post by: Michael Harrington on 19/11/2015 15:44:44
I have heard diet has a lot to do with it. It wasn't so much the taste that was my problem, it was the fact that my penis skin was really nasty. My girlfriend hated it. She eventually got me to use one of these penis health cremes. It's totally helping. My skin is in much better shape, and my girl is a lot happier.
Title: Re: What makes sperm smell? Can a Vasectomy change sperm odour?
Post by: chiralSPO on 19/11/2015 18:30:34
I can only comment on the first half of the question. The primary source of the smell is a mixture of secondary amines, most notably spermin ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spermine ) and sperimidine ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spermidine )

I don't know if pyrrolidine is also in there, but have used it in the lab, I can guarantee is smells VERY similar.

Foods like alcohol, asparagus, cabbage, coffee, garlic etc. can impart their own subtle (or not so subtle) aromas to semen and urine alike. Also some drugs, like Guaifenesin, can impart an odor.

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