Eight Things You Didn’t Know You Could Do with Human Sperm

Sperm are single-purposed: They're optimized to get to an egg and inseminate it. But that doesn't mean there isn't more to this cell than meets the ovum. Sperm, along with its travelling companion, semen, are surprisingly versatile and adaptable substances. Here are eight unconventional things you can do with human sperm.

1. Skin softener

Sperm contains an anti-oxidant called spermine that is thought to diminish wrinkles, smooth the skin, and help with acne. Looking to take advantage of these much sought after attributes, a Norwegian company called Bioforskning (you can't make this stuff up) has synthesized the compound and is selling it as a facial cream.

2. Cooking

Those looking to take their culinary skills to the next level should check out a book by Fotie Photenhauer called Natural Harvest, a collection of semen-based recipes.

3. Painting

Artist Martin Von Ostrowski is known for using bodily fluids as his paint mediums.

4. Invisible ink

Back during World War I, the British Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) discovered that semen could act as an effective invisible ink. 

5. An anti-Depressant for women

Another potential application for semen is its use as an anti-depressant. This idea is quite controversial — but there is a modicum of scientific evidence to support it. 

6. Ovulation control

A recent study at the University of Saskatchewan has discovered that a protein in semen acts on the female brain to prompt ovulation — and that it's the same molecule that regulates the growth, maintenance, and survival of nerve cells. 

7. Help with morning sickness

Psychologist Gordon Gallup at SUNY-Albany, a male member of the human species who specializes in human reproductive competition and behavior, is suggesting that oral sex could serve as a kind of cure. 

8. Archival storage of information

In what gives new meaning to the term "hard drive", human sperm — a transmitter of DNA — could be used to store information — a lot of information. 

[Via io9]