Short Communication: Does Preejaculatory Penile Secretion Originating from Cowper's Gland Contain Sperm?

Authors: Zukerman Z.¹; Weiss D.B.²; Orvieto R.¹

Source: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, Volume 20, Number 4, April 2003 , pp. 157-159(3)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

Purpose: To determine if spermatozoa are present in the preejaculatory penile secretion, originating from Cowper's gland.

Methods: Design: Prospective clinical and laboratory study. Setting: Andrology and Sex Counseling Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Academic Teaching Hospital. Patients: Five patients referred for premature ejaculation, three for excessive fluid secreted during foreplay and four normal healthy volunteers. Intervention: Glass slide smears of preejaculatory Cowper's gland secretion obtained during foreplay from at least two different occasions, and semen samples after masturbation. Main Outcome Measures: Microscopic examination of air-dried smears, and routine semen analyses.

Results: None of the preejaculatory samples contained sperm. All the patients had sperm in routine sperm analyses.

Conclusions: Preejaculatory fluid secreted at the tip of the urethra from Cowper's gland during sexual stimulation did not contain sperm and therefore cannot be responsible for pregnancies during coitus interruptus.

Keywords: Cowper's gland; ejaculation; sperm

Language: English

Document Type: Short communication

Affiliations: 1: Andrology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel. Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel 2: Male Infertility Clinic, Kupat Holim Me'uhedet, Jerusalem, Israel

Publication date: 2003-04-01