Re: What is sperm composed of?

Simon, The term “sperm” is shorthand for spermatozoa (pleural) or 
spermatozoan (singular).  A sperm cell is just the germ cell of the 
individual.  Germ cells are the cells that contain all the genetic information 
from the parents and their ancestors that can be passed on to future 
generations.  Males produce sperm and females produce eggs from 
these germ cells.  You may be thinking of the term semen which is a 
broader term than sperm.  Semen is the fluid ejaculated from the male 
body during intercourse that contains the sperm.  This fluid will have, in 
addition to sperm, material primarily from the seminal vesicles and the 
prostate gland.  Semen contains fructose for swimming energy up the 
female reproductive tract, pH buffering factors, zinc, clotting proteins (in 
large quantities in rodent semen such that a vaginal clot forms that acts 
like a biological chastity belt that another male cannot penetrate) and 
many other compounds.  The function of some of these compounds is 
understood and other functions are yet to be discovered.  Maybe you could 
get involved in this exciting research.  Best to you, Dr. Swanson