Does preejaculatory penile secretion originating from Cowper's gland contain sperm?

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

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.