Also known as the bulbourethral gland, Cowper’s gland is part of two glands that belong to the male reproductive system. This gland was discovered in 1699 by the surgeon Willian Cowper.
The Cowper’s gland It fundamentally participates in the secretion of preseminal fluid, although it also has other functions. That is why it is important to know about the Cowper’s gland: what it is and what its role is.
What is Cowper’s gland?
To understand in detail everything about the Cowper’s gland, what it is, we must bear in mind that it is two paired organs. These measure between about 3 and 5 mm in diameter, located on each side of the urethra. Towards the height of the narrow posterior part of the pelvis, towards the base of the penis and posterior part of the prostate.
Cowper’s gland was first described in 1699 by a renowned surgeon and anatomist named William Cowper. So far it has been found in every animal except the dog. Its structure and size is variable, taking into account not only the species but also the individual. This means that its variability is intra-individual.
In reference to the cowper’s gland, what it is, we must bear in mind that according to its position and origin, it is homologous to the vestibular glands. Also called “Bartholin’s glands”, which are found within the female reproductive system. Unlike the cowper’s gland, the bartholin’s glands lie lateral to the vaginal opening. Which are not very visible due to their small size.
What is the function of the cowper’s gland?
When talking about the function of the cowper gland, it is necessary to understand that it is involved in the expulsion and production of a portion of the preseminal fluid. The bulborethral or cowper glands are exocrine. It means that its secretions will flow to the outside of the body.
However, in this case, the substances they produce are not expelled in isolation, but are mixed with those produced by the seminal vesicles as well as the prostate. Thus forming the well-known preseminal fluid.
Following this point in relation to the cowper’s gland function, it has been possible to describe a secondary function of this part of the male body. This gland secretes glycoproteins, such as prostate-specific antigen, also known as PSA. This accounts for the function of immune defense in the genitourinary tract. Although it also helps dissolve seminal clots, thus allowing the free transit of sperm.
In other words, the cowper’s gland secretes a slimy, slippery substance that lubricates the lining of the urethra. Which is the conduit through which urine passes and also semen in the man’s genitals. After the erection of the penis (process of sexual stimulation), this secretion is part of the first to be expelled.
According to the cowper’s gland, what it is, the substance in question becomes mixed with other mucous or serous materials, including glycoproteins. Where it has been possible to demonstrate that it has substances with an alkaline pH. Thing that seems to neutralize the acidity in the possible residues generated by the urine. Which are found in the urethra and within vaginal fluids
Although it seems that everything related to cowper gland function is of little importance, it really is not. Diseases or pathologies may develop in the cowper’s gland. Being able to lead the man to a problematic situation and pathological circumstances that have to do with reproduction, urination or sexuality in general. These diseases can be acquired or congenital.
What are the diseases of the cowper gland?
Although the best known diseases of the male reproductive system are those that affect the prostate, those that affect the cowper gland are more common. Which as mentioned, can be acquired or congenital.
Regarding the cowper gland, what it is, those acquired diseases that affect it are inflammatory. But it can also cause infections, neoplasms or calcifications, in the same way that occurs with the prostate gland.
On the other hand, those lesions that are congenital are usually asymptomatic. And among these is included the cystic dilation of what is the duct or syringocele. However, there are times when it means a problem regarding the differential diagnosis with lesions that are more severe. Among the most common diseases of this part of the body are:
Cowper’s syringocele
This is an unusual deformity in the male urethra and is related to distention of the main duct in the bulbourethral shower glands. Not much is known about its origin, but it has been shown through experiments that it is related to the lack of the growth factor TGF-B2.
This disease can be open or closed. For the first case, the pathology is observed as a kind of inflammation very similar to a cyst, distended towards the wall of the urethra. In the second case, there is an opening that allows the reflux of urine to the syringocele.
Injuries to the bulbourethral glands are classified into four groups:
– Simple: It is a minimum dilation in the duct.
– Perforated: Where there is the formation of a bulbous duct that drains to the urethra, very similar to a diverticulum.
– Non-perforated: It is also a bulbous duct very similar to a submucous cyst.
– Ruptured: The remaining membrane of the urethra breaks after dilation of the duct.
calculations or stones
Certain cowper gland diseases are also related to internal calcification, which is more common in older patients. These calcifications, stones or calculations are normally phosphate salts of calcium. But they can also be magnesium, calcium carbonate, potassium and calcium oxalate.
Cowperitis
It is an acquired lesson that is based on the inflammation of the gland, so it can be an acute condition or in its chronic difference. In acute cases there is fever, severe perineal pain and general malaise. There may also be pain when defecating and acute retention of urine.
neoplasms
They are malignant tumors and in the glands in question they can develop and at the same time be identified as a deformation in the glands, as well as the appearance of analplastic cells. This means that they are poorly differentiated cells, with abnormal growth and with the opposite orientation to the cells of the tissue to which they are part.
Preseminal fluid and the cowper’s gland
As mentioned, precum is released by the bulbourethral glands before semen comes out. This liquid with large amounts of mucins, has different functions within the male reproductive system:
Lubrication and washing of the urethral duct: The preseminal fluid, as has been said, is responsible for dragging the urine residues that are in the urethral duct. Because, as is known, both urine and semen are released through the urethral duct. Said liquid has an alkaline pH that neutralizes urine residues. But it also neutralizes the pH of the sperm within the vaginal fluids during intercourse.
Thicken the semen: Due to the high content of mucins and other waxy substances, the pre-seminal fluid contributes in the proportion of an appropriate medium for the sperm to move. Which is thick enough to protect them from external agents, but not too thick to prevent movement from being more or less fluid.
It must be remembered that precum is the non-cellular fraction of semen and is released in the first stage of ejaculation. Although this is a faction that does not contain cells, it is possible that the precum contains sperm. But they are carried over or come from previous ejaculations.
That is why they are not visible, since they have little or no mobility, are usually degenerated and do not have nutrients like the rest of the seminal fluid. Therefore, there is very little possibility of a pregnancy occurring when in contact with pre-seminal fluid, but it does not mean that they are null.
Sources: Lifeder, A teacher. The servant.