Why does semen sometimes smell like fuel?

Pueblo-based illustrator Moderna recently asked her Instagram followers to tell her jokes about lack of hygiene as the main character. Interestingly, many people told him about couples whose penis it smelled like fire. This is initially interpreted as a lack of hygiene, but many other users will tell you that it is actually normal. There are even themes Forokoches that explains it. Leaving this aside Forokoches This is the last scientific source that we should pay attention to, and that most of the explanations given by its members are extremely far from reality, it is true that there is a certain connection between the penis and the fouette. Or, more precisely, between smell of sperm and this typical Spanish sausage.

The key lies in two substances called putrescine and spermidine. Starting from the second, it gets this name because it was found in sperm, but this does not mean that it is found only there. In fact, it is a very important substance that is involved in many processes that are of great importance for cells. It is so important that since its levels decline greatly with age, it has become recommended for older people. that they take it in supplement form.

As for putrescine, it is a substance formed during the breakdown of amino acids present in the proteins of dead cells. This is why it can usually be found in meat and sausages, like fuet. What does all this have to do with the smell of semen? Let’s look at this a little bit.

From putrescine to spermidine

Spermidine is involved in functions such as cell growth and proliferation, homeostasis and autophagy. These last two terms refer respectively to the maintenance of balance in the internal environment of cells and their ability to self-destruct in the event of any type of damage that may be dangerous. Therefore, it is clear that spermidine is very necessary.

It can be obtained from humans in three different ways. By synthesis again (from scratch) in the cells themselves, as a product of microorganism metabolism gut microbiota or through diet.

If synthesized inside cells, spermidine can be formed by the breakdown of another substance called spermineor from predecessor. And this precursor is putrescine. We have already seen that this is a common substance in dead cells. In fact, along with cadaverine, is responsible for the smell of a corpse. However, a small amount is also synthesized in living cells. In these cases, among other functions, it serves to synthesize the necessary spermidine.

What about the smell of semen?

We have already seen that fouette contains putrescine. If some of it is transformed into spermidine, we might notice some smell of sperm in sausage. Perhaps this is what has led to so much conversation on this topic.

However, in nature, the smell of sperm can be found in other surprising places. And, for example, there are many foods that contain large amounts of spermidine.

Found mainly in potatoes, vegetable sprouts, fruits such as apples and pears, or whole grains.. But also in other products. The two that contain more are cheddar cheesewith 200 mg/kg, and mushroomsfrom 90 mg/kg.

Also, going back to the fruits, the flowers of the trees from which they are collected also contain large amounts of spermidine. Therefore, perhaps, walking through an apple orchard in the spring, we smell a certain smell of sperm. Be that as it may, one thing is clear: the smell of semen, like the smell of vaginal discharge, does not mean a lack of hygiene. This is something natural, like life itself. Naturally, like an apple tree blossoming.