Say Goodbye to Infertility: The Story of Sperm Courtship and Five Indicators of Male Optimal Reproduction

Say Goodbye to Infertility

**The Story of Sperm Courtship**

Human sperm originates in the testicles, the cradle of their growth and development. After maturing there, they shoulder the responsibility of procreating humanity and embark on a journey to "foreign lands" to find their "lover" (egg).

Sperm have a round head and a long, thin tail, resembling a tadpole, but many times smaller. They are invisible to the naked eye, but under a microscope, they can be seen rapidly moving forward by wagging their tails. After maturing in the testes, sperm pick up some "bags" and "rations" as they pass through the epididymis, and are then transported via the vas deferens to a "gathering place"-a transfer station where sperm "prepare for departure." Upon receiving orders, the sperm travel through the male urethra to the female vagina (a normal male ejaculates 200-600 million sperm per milliliter). Deep in the vagina (the fornix), like entering a "mountain hollow," the sperm briefly rest before repacking their "bags" and "rations" and embarking on their arduous journey to find a mate.

First, sperm must climb a "hill" (the cervix) and then pass through a "tunnel" (the cervical canal) to reach the open uterine cavity. The sperm climb the gentle slope of the uterine cavity step by step. Many old and weak sperm, especially those with congenital malformations, are already "panting" when they reach this "mountain path." Some even accidentally fall into the "valley" and perish "in the mountain." Others lose the willpower to continue climbing, abandoning their "courtship" journey and dying alone. Only a few strong and determined sperm can reach the summit of the "hill." When these "victors" reach the summit, looking east and west, they see two circular "corridors" (the fallopian tubes). At this point, the sperm split into two groups, some heading east and some west. After traversing these narrow corridors, the sperm arrive at a more spacious, lotus-pond-like depression (the fallopian tube portion), where they search for and await the arrival of their "lover" (the egg). In a normal adult woman, only one ovary releases an egg each month, typically occurring 10-14 days into the previous menstrual cycle. Having traveled a long distance, the sperm are exhausted, and their "resources" are depleted, generally lasting only 1-2 days. Therefore, only sperm arriving at this location around the time of ovulation can encounter their "lover." When the sperm discovered their "lover" had arrived, they all rushed to the egg's "door," some knocking frantically, others shouting, "Egg, open the door!" The commotion outside woke the egg, who impatiently replied, "What's all the noise about? My mother said only one 'person' is allowed in." The egg carefully selected a strong, handsome sperm, and quietly opened the door to welcome her beloved. This sperm was the lucky one among millions; he would unite with the egg for life. The sperm led the egg away from its homeland, back to the uterine cavity, where they chose the most fertile ground to "settle down." After ten months of hard work, a new life was born.

Author: Zhong Wei, Chief Physician of Urology, Beijing Coal General Hospital

**Five Indicators for Male Optimal Fertility**

Professor Jia Jinming, a renowned expert in traditional Chinese medicine and chief physician of the Department of Urology and Andrology at Guang'anmen Hospital of the China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, pointed out that male fertility is inseparable from five "indicators".

(1) Choosing the right age. Professor Jia said that human reproduction is like a fruit tree bearing fruit. If you are too young, the tree is not fully grown and cannot bear fruit; if you are too old, it is no longer lush, and the fruit you bear at this time is often sour and astringent. Therefore, the best age for a person to reproduce is 24 to 30 years old. Although traditional Chinese medicine says that men are fully developed by the age of 18 and women have their first menstruation at the age of 14, which means they can have offspring, this is not the most suitable age for reproduction. Just like a tree, "being able to bear fruit" does not mean "bearing good fruit". On the other hand, after the age of 35, women's physical condition gradually declines, and at the same time, due to the accumulation of environmental pollution, radiation pollution, and residual chemical pollution in food, the chances of the next generation getting sick will increase significantly if they reproduce under these circumstances.

(2) Regulating Emotions. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that "essence, qi, and spirit" are the "three treasures" of the human body, which are interconnected and mutually reinforcing. "Spirit" is the outward manifestation of a person's physical condition, and a person's mental state directly affects fertility. Imagine how a person who is constantly confused, depressed, and suspicious can conceive a healthy baby? Therefore, traditional Chinese medicine believes that "regulating emotions" is crucial for healthy reproduction. Maintaining an open and cheerful mind, avoiding prolonged suspicion, and learning to relieve unhealthy emotions such as depression are very important yet often overlooked aspects of optimal reproductive health.

(3) Exercise regularly. During the period when men are planning to have children, they should maintain regular exercise, balance their work and rest, and avoid overwork. The duration of exercise can be adjusted according to individual physical condition, but it is generally advisable to exercise more than 3 times a week for more than half an hour each time. Getting more sunlight and breathing fresh air is beneficial to the coordination of male endocrine system.

(4) Pay attention to diet. Professor Jia emphasized that, apart from certain diseases requiring dietary restrictions, eating a balanced diet without being picky is the best way to maintain health. Compared to the Western diet, which is "meat-based," the traditional diet of Easterners, especially Chinese people, which is "grain- and bean-based," is healthier. Those seemingly luxurious meats and fish don't offer much benefit to the body; in fact, excessive consumption can easily induce prostatitis or even prostate cancer. Professor Jia explained that Western scientists conducted an experiment where they dissected the prostates of several deceased individuals over 40 years old and found cancer cells in almost all of them. For patients with poor fertility or low sperm count, it is advisable to eat more lean meat and vegetables, as these are rich in nutrients beneficial to sperm.

(5) Maintain a regular routine. Men should quit smoking and drinking for six months before conception. Furthermore, sexual activity should be "natural"-neither too little nor too much. In particular, avoid taking "whips" or tonics in pursuit of so-called "longer, higher quality" experiences. For those with genuinely low sexual function who require supplementation, medication can be taken under the guidance of an experienced doctor.

Author: Wang Peng

Supporting Expert: Jia Jinming, Chief Physician of Urology and Andrology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences