Naked Science Forum

On the Lighter Side => That CAN'T be true! => Topic started by: paul.fr on 14/10/2007 23:19:52

Title: semen, how good at swimming are they?
Post by: paul.fr on 14/10/2007 23:19:52

sort of inspired by SouthPark.

suppose i had an empty fishtank, filled it with nice warm water and introduced some semen to the tank. Would they be able to swim around in the tank?

how long would they survive?

Title: semen, how good at swimming are they?
Post by: Karen W. on 14/10/2007 23:22:47

interesting question!

Title: semen, how good at swimming are they?
Post by: elegantlywasted on 15/10/2007 00:30:17

I would imagine if the pH was at a proper level the little guys would swim for a short while.

Title: semen, how good at swimming are they?
Post by: Bored chemist on 15/10/2007 20:02:43

Given the right pH; right osmotic pressure and the right concentrations of nutrients (I understand that semen has a high glucose content- stop sniggering at the back there) I still wouldn't know the answer.

Title: semen, how good at swimming are they?
Post by: neilep on 15/10/2007 22:23:51

As a firm believer of empirical study I visited my sister in laws house with my secret agenda ( cos they have a fish tank) When they left the room they did not give me enough time to complete the expriment.

Conclusion ?.....well...picture the scene !!.....At least they will not be asking me to feed their fish again when they go away on holiday !!

Title: semen, how good at swimming are they?
Post by: Karen W. on 15/10/2007 22:27:04

OH... DUDE!!

Title: semen, how good at swimming are they?
Post by: chris on 15/10/2007 22:35:33

Since the topic poses the question - sperm how good at swimming are they - the answer is about 8 inches per hour (approx. 5 mm per minute)

Title: semen, how good at swimming are they?
Post by: stana on 25/10/2007 19:27:48

I know that sperm can last outside the body on its own for 3 days..But im guessing sperm are like fish as theyre kinda in a water like substance..what kind of water are you using o_0

Title: semen, how good at swimming are they?
Post by: paul.fr on 25/10/2007 21:35:59

3 days! I think it's more like an hour...except those in my fish tank, obviously!

and to answer your question, natural highland spring.

Title: semen, how good at swimming are they?
Post by: neilep on 25/10/2007 21:40:06

I suspect that sperm can not really swim that well !!..in reality..it is in fact quite difficult for girlys to get preggy....hence the extraordinary numbers of sperm required so that just one does the deed !!

Title: semen, how good at swimming are they?
Post by: techmind on 12/11/2007 18:10:53

Quote from: chris on 15/10/2007 22:35:33

the answer is about 8 inches per hour (approx. 5 mm per minute)

!Approximation error!  8" per hour = 3.4mm/minute
(I don't know which is closer to the true value)

Do they swim in straight lines, or do they take a "random walk"?
What does the "speed" above represent anyways?