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 vaporized 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 gelated state to a vaporized state, a phenomenon known as semen vaporization. If this process takes longer than 1 hour, it is referred to as a shortened liquefaction time of semen.Causes: The gelation of semen is caused by the production of gelation proteins by the seminal vesicles. Vaporization, on the other hand, results from a series of proteolytic enzymes excreted by the prostate, known as vaporization factors. Therefore, if the prostate and seminal vesicles experience inflammation again, leading to dysfunction in their excretory functions, it can either enhance the gelation factors or increase the vaporization factors, resulting in abnormal liquefaction of semen.