[paul.fr]

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?

[Karen W.]

interesting question!

[elegantlywasted]

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

[Bored chemist]

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.

[neilep]

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 !!

[Karen W.]

OH... DUDE!!

[chris]

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)

[stana]

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

[paul.fr]

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.

[neilep]

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 !!

[techmind]

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?