Definition
Seminal fluid possesses more than just a transport medium for spermatozoa. Seminal fluid also contains dozens of compounds, including ovulatory- and pregnancy-related hormones. Many of these compounds can also be absorbed through the vaginal wall.
Introduction
Semen is a reproductive fluid. Seminal fluid has been selected over generations to be composed in such a way that it not only houses sperm but also increases probability of conception and pregnancy maintenance (coagulates to retain sperm in the vagina, decreases acidity for sperm survival, etc.). This has a direct effect on the fitness of the human male.
Ney (1986) suggested that the high concentrations of estrone and estradiol, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone, prolactin, and 13 different prostaglandins in semen could be biologically active if absorbed by the vagina. Researchers have administered many of these hormonal compounds through the vagina and determined...
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Burch, R.L. (2019). Semen and Vaginal Chemistry. In: Shackelford, T., Weekes-Shackelford, V. (eds) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_2008-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_2008-1
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