Smegma

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This article is about smegma, a secretion of mammalian genitals. See Vernix caseosa for the substance that covers the skin of a baby at birth. See Smegma (band) for the experimental noise band.

Smegma (Greek smēgma, "soap")[1] is a combination of exfoliated (shed) epithelial cells, transudated skin oils, and moisture. It occurs in both male and female genitalia. In males, smegma helps keep the glans moist and facilitates sexual intercourse by acting as a lubricant.[2][3][4]

Human smegma

Both males and females produce smegma. In males, smegma is produced and accumulates under the foreskin; in females, it collects around the clitoris and in the folds of the labia minora (also called the clitoral hood).

Females

Glands that are located around the clitoris and the vulva secrete sebum. The accumulation of sebum combined with dead skin cells forms smegma. Smegma clitoridis is defined as the secretion of the apocrine glands of the clitoris, in combination with desquamating epithelial cells[5]

Males

Smegma can accumulate on a penis.

Smegma was originally thought to be produced by sebaceous glands near the frenulum called Tyson's glands, however subsequent studies have failed to find these glands.[6] Wright states that smegma is produced from minute microscopic protrusions of the mucosal surface of the foreskin and that living cells constantly grow towards the surface, undergo fatty degeneration, separate off, and form smegma.[2] Parkash et al. found that smegma contains 26.6% fats and 13.3% proteins, which they judged to be consistent with necrotic epithelial debris.[6] Newly produced smegma has a smooth, moist texture. It is thought to be rich in squalene[7] and contain prostatic and seminal secretions, desquamated epithelial cells, and the mucin content of the urethral glands of Littré.[4] Some state that it contains anti-bacterial enzymes such as lysozyme and hormones such as androsterone,[3][4] though others dispute this.[8]

According to Wright, little smegma is produced during childhood, although the foreskin may contain sebaceous glands. She also says that production of smegma increases from adolescence until sexual maturity when the function of smegma for lubrication assumes its full value, and from middle-age production starts to decline and in old age virtually no smegma is produced.[2] Oster reported that the incidence of smegma increased from 1% among 6-7 year olds to 8% among 16-17 year olds (an overall incidence of 5%).[9]

One study found that subjects who retracted the foreskin when bathing were less likely to have smegma accumulation.[10] An early study by Plaut and Kohn-Speyer (1947)[11] found that horse smegma had a carcinogenic effect on mice. Heins et al.(1958)[12] used human smegma on mice and found a carcinogenic effect, but Reddy and Baruah (1963) were unable to reproduce this effect, concluding that if a carcinogenic effect did exist, it must be weak. In other more recent studies, smegma was found to be a risk factor among penile cancer patients.[13][14] However, the American Cancer Society says that smegma itself is probably not carcinogenic,[15] and a recent review concluded that "the evidence does not support the theory that smegma is a cause of genital cancer. "[3]

Smegma in other mammals

In healthy animals, smegma helps clean and lubricate the genitals. In veterinary medicine, analysis of this smegma is sometimes used for detection of urogenital tract pathogens, such as Tritrichomonas foetus.[16] Accumulation of smegma in the equine preputial folds and the urethral fossa and urethral diverticulum can form large "beans" and promote the carriage of Taylorella equigenitalis, the causative agent of contagious equine metritis.[17] Some equine veterinarians have recommended periodic cleaning of male genitals to improve the health of the animal.[18]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Smegma.
  1. ^ "Websters dictionary definition for smegma". Mirriam-Webster. Retrieved 2008-08-26.
  2. ^ a b c Wright, Joyce (1970). "How smegma serves the penis: Nature's assurance that the uncircumcised glans penis will function smoothly is provided by smegma". Sexology (New York). 37 (2): 50–53. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  3. ^ a b c Van Howe, RS (2006). "The carcinogenicity of smegma: debunking a myth". Journal of the European academy of dermatology and venereology. 20 (9): 1046–1054. doi:10.1111/j.1468-3083.2006.01653.x. PMID 16987256. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  4. ^ a b c Fleiss, P.M. (1998). "Immunological functions of the human prepuce" (PDF). Sexually transmitted infections. 74 (5): 364–367. doi:10.1136/sti.74.5.364. PMID 10195034. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  5. ^ "Medical Dictionary". Medilexicon.
  6. ^ a b Parkash, Satya (1973). "Human subpreputial collection: its nature and formation". Journal of urology. 110 (2): 211–212. PMID 4722614. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  7. ^ O'Neill, H.J. (1976). "Lipids of human and equine smegma". Oncology. 33 (4): 161–166. PMID 1018879. {{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |month= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ Waskett JH, Morris BJ (2008). "Re: 'RS Van Howe, FM Hodges. The carcinogenicity of smegma: debunking a myth.' An example of myth and mythchief making?" (pdf). J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 22 (1): 131, author reply 131–2. doi:10.1111/j.1468-3083.2007.02439.x. PMID 18182000. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  9. ^ Oster J (1968). "Further fate of the foreskin. Incidence of preputial adhesions, phimosis, and smegma among Danish schoolboys". Arch. Dis. Child. 43 (228): 200–3. doi:10.1136/adc.43.228.200. PMC 2019851. PMID 5689532. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  10. ^ Krueger, H. (1986). "Effects of hygiene among the uncircumcised". J Fam Pract. 22 (4): 353–355. PMID 3958682. {{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |month= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ Plaut A, Kohn-Speyer AC (1947). "The Carcinogenic Action of Smegma". Science (journal). 105 (2728): 391–392. doi:10.1126/science.105.2728.391-a. PMID 17841584. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  12. ^ Heins, Henry C. (February 1 to 5, 1958). "The possible role of smegma in carcinoma of the cervix". Twentieth annual meeting of the South Atlantic Association of Obstetrictans and Gynecologists. Hollywood, Florida. PMID 13583012. {{cite conference}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |booktitle= ignored (|book-title= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ Brinton LA, Li JY, Rong SD; et al. (1991). "Risk factors for penile cancer: results from a case-control study in China". International journal of cancer. Journal international du cancer. 47 (4): 504–9. doi:10.1002/ijc.2910470406. PMID 1995481. {{cite journal}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  14. ^ Maden C, Sherman KJ, Beckmann AM; et al. (1993). "History of circumcision, medical conditions, and sexual activity and risk of penile cancer". Journal of the National Cancer Institute. 85 (1): 19–24. doi:10.1093/jnci/85.1.19. PMID 8380060. {{cite journal}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  15. ^ "Risk Factors for Penile Cancer". American Cancer Society. 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-22. Although it hasn't been proven, some experts are concerned that smegma may also contain compounds that can cause cancer. Also, some older studies have suggested a link between smegma and penile cancer. Although, smegma probably doesn't cause penile cancer by itself, it can cause the penis to become irritated and inflamed, and may make it harder to see very early cancers. Men can prevent smegma from building up simply by washing the penis with the foreskin retracted. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  16. ^ Chen, X.G. (2001). "Increasing the sensitivity of PCR detection in bovine preputial smegma spiked with Tritrichomonas foetus by the addition of agar and resin". Parasitol Res. 87 (7): 556–558. PMID 11484853. {{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |month= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ Primary Industries Ministerial Council of Australia and New Zealand (2002). Disease strategy: Contagious equine metritis (Version 1.0). In: Australian Veterinary Emergency Plan (AUSVETPLAN), Edition 3, PIMCANZ, Canberra, ACT.
  18. ^ Michael Lowder (September 1, 2001). "A Clean Sheath Is A Healthy Sheath". Horse City. Retrieved on September 4, 2008.
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