Patient's question:
Detailed medical condition and consultation purpose: Doctor: Hello, my test report shows: Liquefaction time: Non-liquefiable Volume: 2 Color: Greyish-white pH: 7.5 Sperm density: 80 Motility rate: 75 Grade B: 40 Grade C: 35 Grade D: 25 What kind of disease does this belong to? How should it be treated?Doctor's answer:
Hello, normal semen is in a liquid state when expelled but immediately solidifies into a gel-like or clotted state. It liquefies into a watery liquid within about 10 to 20 minutes. This process is called semen liquefaction and is a normal physiological phenomenon. If semen remains in a gel-like state after being expelled from the body for more than 30 minutes, it is considered a pathological condition known as semen non-liquefaction. The initial liquid state of semen facilitates ejaculation, followed by its transformation into a gel-like state to allow the semen to stay in the female vagina without easily flowing out. Subsequently, liquefaction occurs to enable the sperm in the semen to move freely, allowing them to swim along the female reproductive tract toward the fallopian tube area, which facilitates fertilization and egg binding.The gel-like solidification of semen is caused by coagulating proteins secreted by the seminal vesicles. On the other hand, proteolytic enzymes and fibrinolysin secreted by the prostate can break down this coagulating protein, promoting semen liquefaction. Therefore, semen non-liquefaction is caused by an excess of coagulating proteins or a deficiency of proteolytic enzymes and fibrinolysin. During semen analysis, if the semen remains non-coagulated, it may be due to defects in the ejaculatory ducts or congenital absence of the seminal vesicles.
Non-liquefied semen, under microscopic examination, shows sperm clumped together and unable to move or only slowly twitching. Sperm in such semen face significant obstacles in movement within the female reproductive tract, making it impossible for them to ascend into the cervical canal, uterine cavity, or fallopian tubes to encounter an egg. As a result, it cannot lead to pregnancy in women.
Common causes of semen non-liquefaction include seminal vesiculitis and prostatitis, leading to