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Horse semen being collected for artificial insemination. AIH redirects here For the indie rock band abbreviated AIH see Architecture in Helsinki Artificial insemination (AI is the process by which

Semen is an organic fluid (also known as seminal fluid) that usually contains spermatozoa. FLUID ( F ast L ight '''U'''ser '''I'''nterface D esigner is a graphical editor that is used to produce FLTK Source code A spermatozoon or spermatozoan ( pl spermatozoa) from the Ancient Greek σπέρμα (seed and ζῷον (living being and more commonly known It is secreted by the gonads (sexual glands) and other sexual organs of male or hermaphroditic animals for fertilization of female ova. The gonad is the organ that makes Gametes The gonads in males are the Testes and the gonads in Females are the Ovaries. Male (♂ refers to the sex of an organism or part of an organism which produces small mobile Gametes called spermatozoa. A hermaphrodite is an organism having both male and female reproductive organs For soil improvement see Fertilization (soil. Female (♀ is the Sex of an Organism, or a part of an organism which produces ova (egg cells An ovum (plural ova) is a Haploid Female reproductive cell or Gamete. The process of discharge is called ejaculation. Ejaculation is the ejecting of Semen from the Penis, and is usually accompanied by Orgasm.

Physiological aspects

Internal and external fertilization

Depending on the species, spermatozoa can fertilize ova externally or internally. In Biology, a species is one of the basic units of Biological classification and a Taxonomic rank. In external fertilization, the spermatozoa fertilize the ova directly, outside of the female's sexual organs. External fertilization is a form of Fertilization in which a Zilo cell is united with an Egg cell external to the body of the female Female fish, for example, spawn ova into their aquatic environment, where they are fertilized by the semen of the male fish. Fish are aquatic Vertebrate animals that are typically ectothermic (previously Cold-blooded) covered with scales, and equipped with two Spawning is the production or depositing of large quantities of eggs in water

During internal fertilization, however, fertilization occurs inside the female's sexual organs. Internal fertilization is a form of Animal fertilization of an Ovum by Spermatozoon within the body of an inseminated animal whether female or hermaphroditic Internal fertilization takes place after insemination of a female by a male through copulation. Insemination is the introduction of sperm into the female Uterus of a Mammal or the Oviduct of an Oviparous (egg-laying animal during Sexual intercourse, in its biological sense is the act in which the male reproductive organ (in humans and other higher animals enters the female reproductive tract In low vertebrates (amphibians, reptiles, birds and monotreme mammals), copulation is achieved through the physical mating of the cloaca of the male and female. Vertebrates are members of the Subphylum Vertebrata, Chordates with backbones or spinal columns The grouping sometimes includes Prehistoric amphibian Amphibians (class Amphibia such as Frogs Toads Salamanders Newts Gymnophiona, Sirens and Reptiles, or members of the class Reptilia are air-breathing Cold-blooded Vertebrates that have skin covered in scales as opposed to hair or feathers Birds ( class Aves) are bipedal endothermic ( Warm-blooded) Vertebrate animals that lay eggs. Monotremes (from the Greek monos 'single' + trema 'hole' referring to the Cloaca) are Mammals that lay eggs ( Prototheria) instead In zoological anatomy a cloaca is the posterior opening that serves as the only such opening for the intestinal and urinary tracts of certain animal species In marsupial and placental mammals, copulation occurs through the vagina. Marsupials are an Infraclass of Mammals characterized by a distinctive pouch (called the marsupium) in which females carry their young through See also Evolution of mammals Eutheria ("true beast" are a group of Mammals consisting of Placental mammals plus all extinct Mammals The vagina (from Latin, literally " Sheath " or " Scabbard " is a fibromuscular tubular tract leading from the Uterus

Composition of human semen

The components of semen come from two sources: sperm, and "seminal plasma". Seminal plasma, in turn, is produced by contributions from the seminal vesicle, prostate, and bulbourethral glands.

Seminal plasma of humans contains a complex range of organic and inorganic constituents. An organic compound is any member of a large class of Chemical compounds whose Molecules contain Carbon. Traditionally inorganic compounds are considered to be of mineral not biological origin

The seminal plasma provides a nutritive and protective medium for the spermatozoa during their journey through the female reproductive tract. The normal environment of the vagina is a hostile one for sperm cells, as it is very acidic (from the native microflora producing lactic acid), viscous, and patrolled by immune cells. In Computer science, ACID ( Atomicity Consistency Isolation Durability) is a set of properties that guarantee that Database transactions are Lactic acid ( IUPAC Systematic name: 2-hydroxypropanoic acid) also known as milk acid, is a Chemical compound that plays a role The components in the seminal plasma attempt to compensate for this hostile environment. Basic amines such as putrescine, spermine, spermidine and cadaverine are responsible for the smell and flavor of semen. Amines are Organic compounds and Functional groups that contain a basic Nitrogen Atom with a Lone pair. Putrescine (sometimes spelled putrescin or putrescene) is an organic chemical compound N[[Hydrogen H]]2( CH sub>24NH2 Spermine is a Polyamine involved in Cellular metabolism found in all eukaryotic cells. Spermidine is a Polyamine involved in Cellular metabolism that can be used to stimulate the enzyme T7 RNA polymerase, a type of RNA polymerase Cadaverine is a foul-smelling molecule produced by Protein Hydrolysis during Putrefaction of animal tissue These alkaline bases counteract the acidic environment of the vaginal canal, and protect DNA inside the sperm from acidic denaturation. Deoxyribonucleic acid ( DNA) is a Nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known

The components and contributions of semen are as follows:

Semen deposited in condom after sexual intercourse. Pre-ejaculate (also known as pre-ejaculatory fluid or Cowper's fluid, and colloquially as pre-cum) is the clear colorless viscous fluid that Sialic acid is a generic term for the N - or O -substituted derivatives of Neuraminic acid, a Monosaccharide with a nine- Carbon backbone Notice the reservoir tip, the space set aside to give room for the ejaculated semen.

A 1992 World Health Organization report described normal human semen as having a volume of 2 ml or greater, pH of 7. 2 to 8. 0, sperm concentration of 20x10⁶ spermatozoa/ml or more, sperm count of 40x10⁶ spermatozoa per ejaculate or more and motility of 50% or more with forward progression (categories a and b) of 25% or more with rapid progression (category a) within 60 minutes of ejaculation. ^[2]

Appearance and consistency of human semen

Most semen is white in colour, but grey or even yellowish semen can be normal as well. Blood in the semen can cause a pink or reddish colour, known as hematospermia, and may indicate a medical problem which should be evaluated by a doctor if it does not readily disappear. Hematospermia ( haematospermia) (or Hemospermia haemospermia or the presence of blood in Semen, is most often a benign and Idiopathic symptom ^[3]

After ejaculation, semen first goes through a clotting process and then becomes more liquid. It is postulated that the initial clotting helps keep the semen in the vaginal canal, but liquefaction frees the sperm to make their longer journey to the ova. In Physics, to liquefy (sometimes spelled liquify) means to turn something into the Liquid state Immediately after ejaculation semen is typically a sticky, jelly-like liquid often forming globules. Within 5 to 40 minutes it will become more watery and liquid before finally drying. ^[4]

Semen quality

Main article: Semen quality

Semen quality is a measure of the ability of semen to accomplish fertilisation. Semen quality is a measure of the ability of Semen to accomplish Fertilisation. Thus, it is a measure of fertility in a man. It is the sperm in the semen that are of importance, and therefore semen quality involves both sperm quantity and sperm quality.

Semen as an anti-depressant

Research has demonstrated that semen may have anti-depressant properties. In studies, women who did not use condoms but instead absorbed semen vaginally (as was the norm among humans before increased concerns of contracting HIV or other sexually-transmitted diseases) sustained a better mood. Human immunodeficiency virus ( HIV) is a Lentivirus (a member of the Retrovirus family that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome Research has not yet demonstrated whether this effect may also be obtained from consuming semen following oral sex, but researchers hypothesize similar benefits. ^[5]

Semen and transmission of disease

Semen can be the vehicle for many sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. A sexually transmitted disease ( STD) or venereal disease ( VD) is an illness that has a significant probability of transmission between Humans Human immunodeficiency virus ( HIV) is a Lentivirus (a member of the Retrovirus family that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome A virus (from the Latin virus meaning Toxin or Poison) is a sub-microscopic infectious agent that is unable

It is also hypothesized that components of semen, such as the spermatozoa as well as the seminal plasma, can cause immunosuppression in the body when introduced to the bloodstream or lymph. A spermatozoon or spermatozoan ( pl spermatozoa) from the Ancient Greek σπέρμα (seed and ζῷον (living being and more commonly known Blood plasma is the Liquid component of Blood, in which the Blood cells are suspended Immunosuppression involves an act that reduces the activation or Efficacy of the Immune system. This is an article about the rock music band "Circulatory System" The lymphatic system in Vertebrates is a network of conduits that carry a clear fluid called Lymph. Evidence for this dates back to 1898, when Elie Metchnikoff injected a guinea pig with its own and foreign guinea pig sperm, finding that an antibody was produced in response; however the antibody was inactive, pointing to a suppression response by the immune system. Ilya Ilyich Mechnikov (Илья Ильич Мечников ( May 16 1845 – July 15 1916) was a Russian microbiologist The Guinea pig (also commonly called the cavy after its scientific name Cavia porcellus) is a species of Rodent belonging to the family Caviidae Antibodies (also known as immunoglobulins, abbreviated Ig) are Gamma globulin Proteins that are found in Blood or other Bodily An immune system is a collection of mechanisms within an Organism that protects against Disease by identifying and killing Pathogens and Tumor

Further research, such as that by S. Mathur and J. M. Goust, demonstrated that non-preexisting antibodies were produced in humans in response to the sperm. These antibodies mistakenly recognized native T lymphocytes as foreign antigens, and consequently the T lymphocytes would fall under attack by the body's B lymphocytes. T cells belong to a group of White blood cells known as Lymphocytes, and play a central role in Cell-mediated immunity. An antigen (from antibody-generating) or immunogen is a substance that prompts the generation of Antibodies and can cause an immune response B cells are Lymphocytes that play a large role in the humoral immune response (as opposed to the cell-mediated immune response, which is governed by ^[6]

Other semen components shown to spur an immunosuppressive effect are seminal plasma and seminal lymphocytes.

Blood in the semen (hematospermia)

The presence of blood in the semen may be undetectable (it only can be seen microscopically) or visible in the fluid. Hematospermia ( haematospermia) (or Hemospermia haemospermia or the presence of blood in Semen, is most often a benign and Idiopathic symptom Its cause could be the result of inflammation, infection, blockage, or injury of the male reproductive tract or a problem within the urethra, testicles, epididymis and prostate. Inflammation ( Latin, inflamatio, to set on fire is the complex biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli such as Pathogens An infection is the detrimental Colonization of a host Organism by a foreign Species. In Anatomy, the urethra (from Greek ουρήθρα - ourethra) is a tube which connects the Urinary bladder to the outside of The testicle (from Latin testiculus, diminutive of testis, meaning "witness" virility plural testes) is the male The epididymis is part of the Human Male Reproductive system and is present in all male Mammals It is a narrow tightly-coiled Tube The prostate (from Greek προστάτης - prostates, literally "one who stands before" "protector" "guardian" is a

It usually clears up without treatment, or with antibiotics, but if persistent further semen analysis and other urogenital system tests might be needed to find out the cause. In modern usage an antibiotic is a Chemotherapeutic agent with activity against Microorganisms such as Bacteria, fungi or Protozoa A semen analysis evaluates certain characteristics of a man's Semen and the sperm contained in the semen A sex organ, or primary sexual characteristic, as narrowly defined is any of the anatomical parts of the body which are involved in sexual reproduction and constitute

Semen allergy

In rare cases, people have been known to experience allergic reactions to seminal fluids, known as human seminal plasma hypersensitivity. Hypersensitivity (also called hypersensitivity reaction refers to undesirable (damaging discomfort-producing and sometimes fatal reactions produced by the normal immune system ^[7] Symptoms can be either localized or systemic, and may include vaginal itching, redness, swelling, or blisters within 30 minutes of contact. They may also include generalized itching, hives, and even difficulty breathing.

The best way to test for human seminal plasma sensitivity is to use a condom during intercourse. A condom is a device most commonly used during Sexual intercourse. If symptoms dissipate with the use of a condom, it is possible that a sensitivity to semen is present. Mild cases of semen allergy can often be overcome by repeated exposure to seminal fluid. Allergy is a disorder of the Immune system often also referred to as Atopy. ^[8] In more severe cases, it is important to seek the advice of a physician, particularly in the event that a couple is trying to conceive, in which case, artificial insemination may be indicated. AIH redirects here For the indie rock band abbreviated AIH see Architecture in Helsinki Artificial insemination (AI is the process by which

Cultural aspects

Semen and martial arts

Chi Kung and Chinese medicine place huge emphasis on a form of energy called 精 (pinyin: jīng, also a morpheme denoting "essence" or "spirit")^{[9] [10]} - which one attempts to develop and accumulate. Qigong (or ch'i kung) refers to a wide variety of traditional cultivation practices that involve methods of accumulating circulating and working with Qi or energy Traditional Chinese medicine (also known as TCM,) includes a range of traditional medical practices originating in China. Pinyin, more formally Hanyu pinyin, is the most common Standard Mandarin Romanization system in use "Jing" is sexual energy and is considered to dissipate with ejaculation so masturbation is considered "energy suicide" amongst those who practice this art. Masturbation refers to Sexual stimulation especially of one's own genitals ( self masturbation) and often to the point of Orgasm, which According to Chi Kung theory, energy from many pathways/meridians becomes diverted and transfers itself to the sexual organs during sexual excitement. The ensuing orgasm and ejaculation will then finally expel the energy from the system completely. The Chinese proverb 一滴精，十滴血 (pinyin: yì dī jīng, shí dī xuè, literally: a drop of semen is equal to ten drops of blood) illustrates this point.

The scientific term for semen in Chinese is 精液 (pinyin: jīng yè, literally: fluid of essence/jing) and the term for sperm is 精子 (pinyin: jīng zǐ, literally: basic element of essence/jing), two modern terms with classical reference. A spermatozoon or spermatozoan ( pl spermatozoa) from the Ancient Greek σπέρμα (seed and ζῷον (living being and more commonly known

Cultural views

In some cultures, semen is attributed with special properties of masculinity. For instance, among the Etoro people of Papua New Guinea, it is believed that young boys must fellate their elders and ingest their sperm to achieve proper sexual maturation. The Etoro are a tribe in Papua New Guinea. Their territory comprises the southern slopes of Mt Papua New Guinea (or ˈpæpjuːə in Tok Pisin: Papua Niugini) officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania Fellatio, also called fellation, is Oral sex performed upon the Penis. This act may also be attributed to the culturally active homosexuality throughout these and other tribes. ^[11]

Aristotle

In Ancient Greece, Aristotle wrote on the importance of semen:

• "For Aristotle, semen is the residue derived from nourishment, that is of blood, that has been highly concocted to the optimum temperature and substance. The term ancient Greece refers to the period of Greek history lasting from the Greek Dark Ages ca Aristotle (Greek Aristotélēs) (384 BC – 322 BC was a Greek philosopher a student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great. This can only be emitted by the male as only the male, by nature of his very being, has the requisite heat to concoct blood into semen. "^[12]

• "Sperms are the excretion of our food, or to put it more clearly, as the most perfect component of our food"^[13]

• "If men start to engage in sexual activity at too early an age. . . this will affect the growth of their bodies. Nourishment that would otherwise make the body grow is diverted to the production of semen. . . . Aristotle is saying that at this stage the body is still growing; it is best for sexual activity to begin when its growth is 'no longer abundant', for when the body is more or less at full height, the transformation of nourishment into semen does not drain the body of needed material. "^[14]

Sacred semen

In some pre-industrial societies, semen and other body fluids were revered because they were believed to be magical. Pre-industrial society refers to specific social attributes and forms of political and cultural organization that were prevalent before the advent of the Industrial Revolution Blood is an example of such a fluid, but semen was also widely believed to be of supernatural origin and effect and was, as a result, considered holy or sacred. Blood is a specialized Bodily fluid that delivers necessary substances to the body's cells ��such as nutrients and oxygen—and transports Waste products

Semen is currently and has long been revered by Buddhist and Daoist traditions as a very important constituent of human physiology. Buddhism is a family of beliefs and practices Taoism (pronounced /ˈdaʊɪzəm/ or /ˈtaʊɪzəm/ also spelled '''Daoism''') refers to a variety of related Philosophical and Religious traditions Physiology (from Greek grc φύσις physis, "nature origin" and grc -λογία -logia) is the study of the mechanical physical

Dew was once thought to be a sort of rain that fertilized the earth and, in time, became a metaphor for semen. Formation Water will condense into droplets depending on the temperature The Bible employs the term “dew” in this sense in such verses as Song of Solomon 5:2 and Psalm 110:3, declaring, in the latter verse, for example, that the people should follow only a king who was virile enough to be full of the “dew” of youth. Etymology According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the word bible is from Latin biblia, traced from the same word through Medieval Latin and Late Latin Psalms ( Hebrew: Tehilim, תהילים, or "praises" is a book of the Hebrew Bible (the Christian Old Testament) included

It was widely believed, in ancient times, that gemstones were drops of divine semen which had coagulated after having fertilized the earth. There is an ancient Chinese belief that jade, in particular, was the dried semen of the celestial dragon. Jade is an Ornamental stone. The term jade is applied to two different rocks that are made up of different Silicate minerals.

Based upon the resemblance of dandelion juice to human semen, it was believed that the flower magically promoted the flow of sperm.

The orchid’s twin bulbs were thought to resemble the testicles, and there was an ancient Roman belief that the flower sprang from the spilled semen of copulating satyrs. The testicle (from Latin testiculus, diminutive of testis, meaning "witness" virility plural testes) is the male In Greek mythology, satyrs (Σάτυροι Satyroi) are a troop of male companions of Pan and Dionysus – " Satyresses quot

Barbara G. Walker recounts these examples of sacred semen in The Woman’s Dictionary of Symbols and Sacred Objects, the thesis of which is that myth and folklore show a pre-patriarchic rule by women that was later supplanted by masculine culture. ^[15]

In primitive mythology around the world, semen is very often considered analogous to breast milk in some way. In the traditions of Bali, it is considered to be the returning or refunding of the milk of the mother in an alimentary metaphor. The wife feeds her husband who returns to her his semen, the milk of human kindness, as it were. ^[16]

In some systems of medical philosophy, such as traditional Russian medicine and the Vital Force theory of Herbert Nowell, semen is regarded as the product of a complex physiological interaction between a man and a woman (rather than merely the product of the male reproductive system). Herbert Nowell MD (died 1962 Vancouver British Columbia was a Canadian physician and professor

Semen in popular culture

Depiction of semen in art and popular culture has, for a long time, been considered a taboo subject. Popular culture (or pop culture) is the Culture — patterns of human activity and the symbolic structures that give such activities significance and importance — A taboo is a strong Social prohibition (or ban) against words objects actions or discussions that are considered undesirable or offensive by a group culture

The Japanese artist Takashi Murakami is famous for a manga style piece entitled My Lonesome Cowboy, which features a naked cowboy superhero wielding his own semen as a lasso. is a prolific contemporary Japanese artist who works in both Fine arts media such as painting as well as digital and commercial media

Andres Serrano, whose photos depict bodily fluids such as "Blood and Semen II" (Semen y Sangre II) (1990), became a controversial figure for featuring semen in his work. Andres Serrano (born August 15, 1950) is an American photographer who has become most notorious through his photos of corpses as well as He was criticized by some for producing offensive art, while others defended him in the name of artistic freedom. Freedom of speech is the freedom to speak freely without Censorship or Limitation. ^[17] His photos were featured on the cover art of two Metallica albums, Load and ReLoad, which feature images made by shining light through a piece of clear plastic on which semen, blood and urine have been splattered and swirled around. Metallica is an American heavy metal band that formed in 1981 in. Load is the sixth studio Album by American heavy metal band Metallica, released June 4 1996. RELOAD is a JISC -funded project developing tools to facilitate the use of emerging Learning Technology Interoperability specifications such as those produced by ADL

Only recently has semen been depicted (albeit controversially) in movies such as Kika (1993), There's Something About Mary (1998) ("a hard-core staple making its debut in a mainstream Hollywood comedy")^[18], Happiness (1998), American Pie (1999), Scary Movie (2000), Y tu mamá también (2001), Scary Movie 2 (2001), and National Lampoon's Van Wilder (2002). Kika is a 1993 Spanish language Pedro Almodóvar film starring Verónica Forqué as the title character There's Something About Mary is a 1998 Romantic comedy film, directed by the Farrelly Brothers Bobby and Peter. Happiness is a 1998 Black comedy film written and directed by Todd Solondz, that portrays the lives of three sisters and their families American Pie is a 1999 teen comedy Film directed by Paul Weitz and Chris Weitz, and written by Adam Scary Movie is a 2000 film directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans. It is an American Dark comedy which parodies the horror and mystery genres Y tu mamá también (literally "And your mother too" released in English-speaking markets under the original title in Spanish) is a Scary Movie 2 is a 2001 American Comedy film and is the second film of the Scary Movie franchise National Lampoon's Van Wilder (also known as Van Wilder, Van The Man and Van Wilder Party Liaison) is Jackass Number Two (2006) features a scene where Chris Pontius drinks horse semen. Jackass Number Two is a 2006 Comedy film. It is the sequel to Jackass The Movie (2002 both based upon the MTV series Chris Pontius (born Christopher Andrew Pontius on July 16, 1974 in Pasadena California) is an American entertainer and daredevil It has also appeared in the anime movie End of Evangelion. (anime in Japanese, is a 1997 Anime Film written and chief directed by Hideaki Anno; it won the Japan Academy Prize for popularity

Semen in espionage

When the British Secret Intelligence Service (SSB) discovered that semen made a good invisible ink, Sir George Mansfield Smith-Cumming noted of his agents that "Every man carries his own stylo". The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The Secret Intelligence Service ( SIS) colloquially known as MI6 is the United Kingdom 's external Intelligence agency. Invisible ink is a substance used for writing which is either invisible on application or soon thereafter and which later on can be made visible by some means Captain Sir George Mansfield Smith-Cumming KCMG, CB ( 1 April 1859 – 14 June 1923) was the first director of A stylus (plural styli or styluses) is a Writing utensil. The word is also used for a computer accessory ( PDAs) ^[19]

Euphemisms

A huge variety of euphemisms and dysphemisms have been invented to describe semen. A euphemism is a substitution of an agreeable or less offensive expression in place of one that may offend or suggest something unpleasant to the listener or in the case of doublespeak In Language, both dysphemism (from the Greek dys δύς "mis-" and pheme φήμη "reputation" and cacophemism For a complete list of terms, see Sexual slang. Pejorative usage Slurs are used to refer to members of a given sexual Minority, Gender, Sex, or Sexual orientation in a

See also

• ejaculation
• spermatozoon
• spermatogenesis
• pre-ejaculate
• capacitation
• sexual slang for a list of various commonly used terms for semen. Ejaculation is the ejecting of Semen from the Penis, and is usually accompanied by Orgasm. A spermatozoon or spermatozoan ( pl spermatozoa) from the Ancient Greek σπέρμα (seed and ζῷον (living being and more commonly known Spermatogenesis is the process by which male Spermatogonia develop into mature Spermatozoa. Pre-ejaculate (also known as pre-ejaculatory fluid or Cowper's fluid, and colloquially as pre-cum) is the clear colorless viscous fluid that This article is about a biological process related to reproduction for the other use see Capacitation (NGO. Pejorative usage Slurs are used to refer to members of a given sexual Minority, Gender, Sex, or Sexual orientation in a
• Vasectomy

References

External links

• Grizard G, Sion B, Bauchart D, Boucher D (2000). "Separation and quantification of cholesterol and major phospholipid classes in human semen by high-performance liquid chromatography and light-scattering detection. ". J Chromatogr B Biomed Sci Appl 740 (1): 101-7. doi:10.1016/S0378-4347(00)00039-6. A digital object identifier ( DOI) is a permanent identifier given to an Electronic document. PMID 10798299.  
• "factors that affect spermatogenesis"
• "Does Semen Have Antidepressant Properties?" By Gordon G. Gallup
• simple article about sperm contents

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