What Happens to Sperm After Fertilization? Understanding the Journey
Explore what occurs to sperm in a woman's body post-fertilization or when fertilization doesn't happen.
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After fertilization or if fertilization doesn’t occur, the rest of the sperm is expelled from the woman’s body. Most are reabsorbed by the body or exit through vaginal discharge. Only one sperm usually fertilizes an egg, while the immune system breaks down the remaining sperm cells, emphasizing the body’s efficiency in managing excess sperm.
FAQs & Answers
- How does the body deal with excess sperm? The body efficiently reabsorbs most excess sperm or they exit through vaginal discharge.
- Why does only one sperm fertilize an egg? Typically, only one sperm is needed to fertilize an egg due to cellular mechanisms that prevent multiple fertilizations.
- What happens to sperm if fertilization doesn't occur? If fertilization doesn't occur, sperm is expelled from the body, mainly through natural discharge or absorption.
- Is it possible for more than one sperm to fertilize an egg? While only one sperm usually fertilizes an egg, conditions can lead to two sperm fertilizing it, resulting in twin pregnancies called dizygotic twins.