Spermine phosphate crystals prepared by Alexander von Poehl, c.1898

Spermine phosphate crystals prepared by Alexander von Poehl in St. Petersburg, c.1898

Spermine phosphate crystals are elongated, translucent, and colorless crystals found in semen. Such crystals were first described in semen by Antonie van Leeuwenhoek in 1678.

These crystals, preserved on a large circular glass slide, were prepared by chemist and physiologist, Alexander von Poehl (1850-1908) a German scientist based in St. Petersburg. In the 1890s Poehl isolated spermine phosphate in the form of crystals from testicles and other organs from animals such as bulls and stallions. He made these crystal samples as gifts for other scientists, he also sold spermine samples commercially to promote his theory of organotherapy.

In 1906 he published his book 'Rational organotherapy with reference to urosemiology', identifying spermine as a substance that could promote human vitality. Poehl's claims about the therapeutic effects of organotherapy and commercial exploitation of spermine, meant that much of his chemical and clinical work became discredited amongst wider scientific networks.

This crystal preparation was donated by Thaddeus Mann (1908-1993), a Polish biochemist, who worked at the Molteno Institute at the University of Cambridge, and carried out research into male reproduction.