Question

Cowper's gland secretes a substance to which of the following:
A) Nourish sperms
B) Neutralize acidity
C) Lubricate female's vagina to facilitate copulation
D) Both B and C

Answer 1

Hint: Cowper's gland is a pre-ejaculate fluid, secreted by the bulbar urethral gland during sexual arousal. In preparation for the passage of sperm cells, it neutralizes the acidity of the urethra. Less than 1% of semen is formed by them.

Complete answer:
-Inferior to the prostate gland in the male reproductive system a pea-size gland is present which is known as the Corpus gland. Prior to ejaculation, it produces a thick clear mucus that drains into the spongy urethra. It is made of many connected glandular lobules.
-It forms less than 1% of semen and secretes mucus fluid that is alkaline upon sexual stimulation, also known as pre-ejaculate fluid.

Functions of Cowper's gland:
It produces mucous secretions which contain a glycoprotein during sexual arousal having three main purposes,
1) For the passage of ejaculation, it lubricates the spongy urethra and the tip of the penis and also lubricates the vagina to facilitate the sperm movement.
2) Any residue of urine, dead cells, or mucus is expelled through the urethral meatus, creates a clean and lubricated pathway for ejaculation.
3) Also helps in neutralizing the residual acidity in the male urethra.

Additional information:
- After the English surgeon William Cowper, the Cowper's gland is named. He discovered the glands in the 17th century.
- They are also named bulbourethral gland anatomically because of their location.
- It is derived from the euro genital sinus embryologically along with the bladder, prostate, and urethra. Its development is influenced by DHT (dihydrotestosterone).
- Upon removal of this gland, it directly affects the sperms because it helps in locating the passage of sperms in the urethra and neutralizing acidity in the urethra. It makes the medium alkaline to keep the sperms alive.

So, the correct answer is, "Both B and C".

Note:
> The Cowper's gland helps in protecting the sperm because it passes through the urethra during ejaculation.
> Upon sexual stimulations, this gland produces alkaline mucus secretions known as pre-ejaculate.
> The neutralization of acidic urine present in the urethra is done by this gland and also lubricates the urethra and external urethral orifice for the protection of sperms from mechanical damage during ejaculation.