2006-10-18 00:32:44 · 16 answers · asked by Hobby 5 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
M/s. AntonieBa & Kevinlad, I do not have any sexual fantacies. I read the answers to Mr. Hitch's question about the quantum of sperm ejaculation by the whales. As a Chemist, I was only wondering whether we can make use of such a natural produce.
2006-10-18 02:07:15 · update #1
human semen containing the ejaculated sperm contains a lot of fluids aside from the sperm cells themselves. first, it must contain alkaline substances that can neutralize the natural acidity of the female vagina, which normally houses acidic bacteria called Lactobacillus acidophilus. Note that th extreme acidity of the vagine could easily kill the sperm cells so the latter should have a means to neutralize this acidity. Second, the semen must contain prostaglandins that would stimulate the contraction of the cervix. Normally the cervix has a plug to prevent the passage of sperm towards the uterus. But with prostaglandin-stimulated contraction, the plug is loosened and the sperm can enter the uterus. Third, the semen contains sugars, mostly fructose and glucose (I think), that provides the sperm with energy when swimming through the female's uterus in its quest to seek the egg in the fallopian tube.
Note that these are characteristics of human semen. They say that human semen is so much like milk - highly proteinaceous and nutritious. I am just not entirely sure whether whale semen contains all of the things mentioned here. Probably what we can get from sperm whale semen are proteins... lots of proteins
2006-10-18 01:58:54 · answer #1 · answered by rykt_id 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
This is technically false. (I have a degree in Zoology studied a lot of marine biology) Sperm whales are so called because in the 1800s when they were hunted for meat when they open the head cavity of the whale it was filled with a large quantity of white fluid initially believed to be sperm (not 400 gallons but its alot) hence how they were named. After being test it was found not to be sperm but an oil that they use for echo location as they dive to great depths where it is pitch black so its eyes are useless and much like dolphins they use echo location to find prey avoid obsticles etc. The bounce sound waves off objects and prey and when the signals bounce back they are detected by the oil reservoir in the animals head. The chemical is actually one of the best oils for lubrication in the world and is used all over the world even today in hi precision industrial machinery and is the highest value oil in the world.
2006-10-20 02:46:19 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i don't know what your sexual fantasies are, or may be, but you're completely in lala land ;-)
as someone else said, sperm whales are called that because some ignorants confused sperm and oil, and the species has the name spermaceti in it.
yes the largest sperm whales probably were once very large, but today they average maybe 50 tons.
if they ejaculated 400 gallons that would be about 1.5 ton, i.e. 3 percent of their body weight. Comparable to 5 pounds for a human male. Think about it for a second...
I really suggest you try to work on those sexual fantasies, and that you adjust your expectations at least to something a bit closer to reality ;-)
2006-10-18 01:27:02 · answer #3 · answered by AntoineBachmann 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Not sure about chemicals, but I'm pretty sure we could get baby sperm whales from it... ho ho ho!
I read today that Sperm Whales are called that because of the oil in their head - Spermaceti - was mistaken for semen.
Never thought I'd actually get to use that fact..
2006-10-18 00:40:05 · answer #4 · answered by Simon C 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Even if there was a useable chemical in whale semen, who the heck is going to want to be the one to "harvest" it?? LOL I mean seriously havent we killed or tortured enough whales, now you want to go around stealing thier sperm?? hahaha wierd! and who the heck was able to measure how much a whale ejaculates?? and how?? Gross!!
2006-10-18 15:51:28 · answer #5 · answered by Kelly + Eternal Universal Energy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Jesus thats a lot!
Im no scientist but ther is probably nothing of much use in it, despite the quantity. Actually, I guess you could genetically modify a spermwhale calf but who would want to do that?
2006-10-18 00:42:27 · answer #6 · answered by Jo M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely not, that is a huge amount and completely unnecessary for the whale to reproduce. You shouldnt drink seawater because of the salt. that stat is very very wrong.
2016-05-21 23:07:27 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes we can certainly extract useful chemical from it - for curing sick people who have a fantasy with whales.
2006-10-18 01:48:45 · answer #8 · answered by Kevinlad 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
why is everyone taking the micky? i think this was a genuine question! i'm afraid i cant answer it but I just thought i would stick up for you!
x
2006-10-18 10:24:41 · answer #9 · answered by Queenie 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I do not know, but I'll think twice before entering to the sea again....
2006-10-18 09:29:29 · answer #10 · answered by Peter pan 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋