What Is the Cowper's Gland?
A cowpers gland is a part of the male reproductive system that is responsible for secreting lubricating mucus, and is homologous to the Bartholin's gland in women. Two of the glands are located on either side of the urethra, beneath the prostate gland, in the deep perineal pouch. The pre-ejaculate fluid secreted by the cowpers gland helps neutralize acids, clean the urethra, and provide lubrication for sexual intercourse. Amounts secreted by each gland can vary, depending on a person's age and the amount of time between sexual activity.
Also known as bulbourethral glands, the small pea-shaped structures take their name from the British anatomist William Cowper, who provided an early description of the glands. The cowpers gland is an exocrine gland, which means that it secretes its product into ducts — in this case, the male urethra. This is the opposite of the function of an endocrine gland, which secretes hormones directly into the bloodstream.
The cowpers gland plays an important role in sexual intercourse. When a man becomes sexually aroused, the cowpers gland begins to secrete pre-ejaculate fluid. This fluid is a clear lubricating mucus that is similar in composition to semen.
Amounts of pre-ejaculate produced varies greatly — some men produce a lot of pre-ejaculate fluid, while some cannot produce any at all. Producing too much or too little pre-ejaculate fluid generally is not a cause for great concern. More pre-ejaculate fluid typically is produced when a man has not been sexually active for a long period of time. The cowpers glands themselves shrink gradually as men age, resulting in lower levels of pre-ejaculate secretion.
Pre-ejaculate fluid created by the cowpers gland has three functions. The first function is to neutralize the acid levels in the urethra so that sperm can pass through it. Sperm do not thrive in acidic environments, and the urethra often contains traces of acidic urine. Likewise, pre-ejaculate fluid deposited in the vagina during intercourse can help to lessen the vagina's naturally high acidity, thus increasing the longevity of the sperm.
The second function of pre-ejaculate fluid is to remove any foreign material from the urethra before intercourse. A final function is to provide lubrication for sexual intercourse. The Bartholin's glands in women also provide a mucoid substance that aids in lubrication.
Although the composition of pre-ejaculate fluid is not identical to that of semen, it can sometimes contain small amounts of sperm leftover from previous ejaculations. For this reason, the withdrawal method of birth control — where the penis is removed from the vagina prior to ejaculation — is not always effective. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can also be transmitted via pre-ejaculate fluid.
Written by Greer Hed
