Question

The nutritive medium for the ejaculated sperm is given by
A. Seminal fluid
B. Vaginal fluid
C. Uterine lining
D. Fallopian tube

Answer 1

Hint: Sperm moves through the ejaculatory ducts during the ejaculation process and combines to form semen with fluids from the seminal vesicle, prostate, and bulbourethral glands. Seminal vesicles form a yellowish viscous fluid rich in fructose, amino acids, and other substances which make up about 70 percent of human semen.

Complete answer: A semen is an organic fluid which contains spermatozoa, also known as seminal fluid. The gonads (sexual glands) secrete it and may fertilise the egg. In humans, besides spermatozoa, seminal fluid contains many elements, including enzymes (proteolytic and others and fructose. These components facilitate spermatozoa survival and provide a medium for motility. Semen comes from the seminal vesicles, located in the pelvis.The phase resulting in semen discharge is called ejaculation. Sertoli cells secrete a fluid into seminiferous tubules that helps transport sperm to the genital ducts, which foster and promote the development of spermatocytes. Ductuli efferentes have microvilli and lysosomal granules of cuboidal cells that change the semen by reabsorbing some fluid. The main cells (which include pinocytotic vessels suggesting fluid reabsorption) secrete glycerophosphocholine once the semen reaches the ductus epididymis, which most likely prevents premature capacitation. During their passage through the female reproductive tract, the seminal plasma provides a nutritive and defensive medium for the spermatozoa. The vagina's natural environment is hostile to sperm cells as it is acidic, viscous and patrolled by native microflora immune cells that generate lactic acid.. In this hostile environment, the components in the seminal plasma try to compensate. The scent and flavour of semen are due to simple amines such as putrescine, spermine, spermidine, and cadaverine. These alkaline bases mitigate the vaginal canal's acidic environment and protect DNA from acidic denaturation within the semen.
Hence, the correct answer is option A.

Note: Semen output is a measure of the capacity of semen to achieve fertilisation and thus, a measure of the fertility of an individual. Semen can be preserved by cryopreservation for long-term storage. With this process, the longest recorded active storage is 21 years for human sperm.