Patient's question:
I have a problem with semen not liquefying. Will this cause male infertility? What is the reason for this? Can semen not liquefying be treated?Doctor's answer:
Normal semen is in a gaseous state when expelled and immediately forms a gel-like or clotted state. After 5 and 20 minutes in a 37°C water bath, the semen transitions from a gelled state to a gaseous state, a phenomenon known as semen liquefaction. If this process takes longer than 1 hour, it is referred to as a shortened liquefaction time of semen.Causes: The gelling of semen is caused by gelling proteins produced by the seminal vesicles. The gaseous state is the result of a series of proteolytic enzymes excreted by the prostate, known as liquefying factors. Therefore, if the prostate and seminal vesicles experience inflammation again, leading to dysfunction in their excretory functions, it can either enhance the gelling factors or increase the liquefying factors, resulting in abnormal semen liquefaction.