Listen Live
Donate
 on air
Schedule

KCRW

Read & Explore

  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Food
  • Culture
  • Events

Listen

  • Live Radio
  • Music
  • Podcasts
  • Full Schedule

Information

  • About
  • Careers
  • Help / FAQ
  • Newsletters
  • Contact

Support

  • Become a Member
  • Become a VIP
  • Ways to Give
  • Shop
  • Member Perks

Become a Member

Donate to KCRW to support this cultural hub for music discovery, in-depth journalism, community storytelling, and free events. You'll become a KCRW Member and get a year of exclusive benefits.

DonateGive Monthly

Copyright 2026 KCRW. All rights reserved.

Report a Bug|Privacy Policy|Terms of Service|
Cookie Policy
|FCC Public Files

Back to WNYC's Radiolab

WNYC's Radiolab

Sperm

Sperm carry half the genes needed for human life. In this hour of Radiolab, some basic questions and profound thoughts about reproduction.

  • Share
KCRW placeholderBy Jad Abumrad • Mar 13, 2011 • 1 min read

Sperm carry half the genes needed for human life. In this hour, some basic questions and profound thoughts about reproduction. To begin: why so many sperm? We turn to the animal kingdom for answers, which lands us on a tour of sperm battles in ducks, flying pig sperm, and promiscuous whippoorwills. Next, we ponder fatherhood, and wonder...in a world where sperm can be frozen and kept for all eternity...what the future holds for men. We end quietly, in a stark sonic space with a widow struggling to keep some essence of her husband alive.

Learn more or listen again to this week's episode.

Image: Matt Buchanan

  • KCRW placeholder

    Jad Abumrad

    creator of "Radiolab," and host of the new podcast “Fela Kuti: Fear No Man”

  • KCRW placeholder

    Robert Krulwich

    host of 'Radio Lab'

    Culture
Back to WNYC's Radiolab