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added section Function and risks from WP
}}</ref> and discharged from the urethra of males. It collects under the [[foreskin]] of normal, [[foreskinned]] males where it functions as a lubricant at times of sexual arousal, [[masturbation]] or [[sexual intercourse]].
== Function and risks == {{WikipediaQuote|URL=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pre-ejaculate#Function_and_risks|title=Pre-ejaculate: Function and risks}}Pre-ejaculate neutralizes residual acidity in the urethra caused by [[urine]], creating a more favorable environment for the passage of sperm.<ref name="chughtai">{{REFjournal |last=Chughtai |init=B |last2=Sawas |init2=A |last3=O'Malley |init3=RL |last4=Naik |init4=RR |last5=Ali Khan |init5=S |last6=Pentyala |init6=S |title=A neglected gland: a review of Cowper's gland |journal=Int J Androl |volume=28 |issue=2 |pages=74–7 |date=2005-04 |pubmedID=15811067 |doi=10.1111/j.1365-2605.2005.00499.x |s2cid=32553227}}</ref> The [[vagina]] is normally acidic, so the deposit of pre-ejaculate before the emission of semen may change the vaginal environment to promote sperm survival.<ref name=Chudnovskycite>{{REFjournal |last=Chudnovsky |init=A |last2=Niederberger |init2=CS |date=2007 |title=Copious Pre-Ejaculation: Small Glands—Major Headaches |journal=J Androl |pubmedID=17251594 |volume=28 |issue=3 |pages=374–5 |doi=10.2164/jandrol.107.002576}}</ref> Pre-ejaculate also acts as a lubricant during sexual activity,<ref name=Chudnovskycite /> and plays a role in semen coagulation.<ref name=Chudnovskycite /> Low levels or no sperm exists in pre-ejaculate, although studies examined small samples of men.<ref name="zukerman">{{REFjournal |last=Zukerman |init=Z |last2=Weiss |init2=DB |last3=Orvieto |init3=R |title=Short Communication: Does Preejaculatory Penile Secretion Originating from Cowper's Gland Contain Sperm? |journal=Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics |date=2003-04 |volume=20 |issue=4 |pages=157–9 |pubmedID=12762415 |pubmedCID=3455634 |doi=10.1023/A:1022933320700}}</ref><ref name="HIV"/> Two contrary studies found mixed evidence, including individual cases of a high sperm concentration.<ref name="Killick">{{REFjournal |last=Killick |init=SR |last2=Leary |init2=C |last3=Trussell |init3=J |last4=Guthrie |init4=KA |doi=10.3109/14647273.2010.520798 |date=2011 |title=Sperm content of pre-ejaculatory fluid |journal=Human Fertility |volume=14 |issue=1 |pages=48–52 |pubmedID=21155689 |pubmedCID=3564677}}</ref><ref name="ncbi.nlm.nih.gov">{{REFjournal |last=Kovavisarach |init=E |last2=Lorthanawanich |init2=S |last3=Muangsamran |init3=P |title=Presence of Sperm in Pre-Ejaculatory Fluid of Healthy Males |journal=J Med Assoc Thai |date=2016 |volume=99 Suppl 2 |pages=S38–41 |pubmedID=27266214 |issn=0125-2208}}</ref> Popular belief – dating to a 1966 Masters and Johnson study<ref>{{REFbook |last=Masters |init=WH |title=Johnson, V.E. |year=1966 |publisher=Little, Brown & Co |location=Boston, MA |page=211}}</ref> – stated that pre-ejaculate may contain sperm that can cause pregnancy, which is a common basis of argument against the use of ''coitus interruptus'' (withdrawal) as a contraceptive method.<ref name=zukerman/><ref name="HIV">{{REFjournal |title=Researchers find no sperm in pre-ejaculate fluid |journal=Contraceptive Technology Update |date=1993-10 |volume=14 |issue=10 |pubmedID=12286905 |pages=154–156}}</ref> Studies have demonstrated the presence of [[HIV]] in most pre-ejaculate samples from infected men.<ref name=HIV/><ref>{{REFjournal |doi=10.1016/0140-6736(92)92659-4 |last=Pudney |init=J |last2=Oneta |init2=M |last3=Mayer |init3=K |last4=Seage |init4=G |last5=Anderson |init5=D |title=Pre-ejaculatory fluid as potential vector for sexual transmission of HIV-1 |journal=Lancet |date=1992 |volume=340 |issue=8833 |page=1470 |pubmedID=1360584 |s2cid=7106584}}</ref><ref>{{REFjournal |doi=10.1016/0140-6736(92)92658-3 |last=Ilaria |init=G |last2=Jacobs |init2=JL |last3=Polsky |init3=B |etal=yes |title=Detection of HIV-1 DNA sequences in pre-ejaculatory fluid |journal=Lancet |date=1992 |volume=340 |issue=8833 |page=1469 |pubmedID=1360583 |s2cid=43112865}}</ref> ==Distribution==
The quantity of pre-ejaculate produced various widely between individuals. Production of pre-ejaculate may be triggered by erotic thoughts alone.