Immunological and protective function of the foreskin: Difference between revisions
WikiModEn2 (talk | contribs) No edit summary |
WikiModEn2 (talk | contribs) m Add links and category |
||
| Line 62: | Line 62: | ||
}}</ref> The preputial cavity is sealed by the synechia so it cannot be infected. | }}</ref> The preputial cavity is sealed by the synechia so it cannot be infected. | ||
In infancy the foreskin's tubular neck (prepucial orifice) is often long and narrow while the sphincter muscle in the tip of the foreskin keeps its opening closed. This acts as an extension of the urethra.<ref>{{REFjournal | In infancy, the foreskin's tubular neck (prepucial orifice) is often long and narrow while the sphincter muscle in the tip of the foreskin keeps its opening closed. This acts as an extension of the urethra.<ref>{{REFjournal | ||
|last=Hunter | |last=Hunter | ||
|first=R.H. | |first=R.H. | ||
| Line 84: | Line 84: | ||
|pages=243-249 | |pages=243-249 | ||
}}</ref> | }}</ref> | ||
Together, these properties prevent the entry of contaminants. | Together, these properties prevent the entry of contaminants.<ref name="fleiss-hodges-vanhowe1998">{{REFjournal | ||
|last=Fleiss | |||
|first=P. | |||
|author-link=Paul M. Fleiss | |||
|last2=Hodges | |||
|first2=F. | |||
|author2-link=Frederick M. Hodges | |||
|last3=Van Howe | |||
|first3=R.S. | |||
|author3-link=Robert S. Van Howe | |||
|title=Immunological functions of the human prepuce | |||
|journal=Sex Trans Infect | |||
|date=1998-10 | |||
|volume=74 | |||
|issue=5 | |||
|pages=364-67 | |||
|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1758142/pdf/v074p00364.pdf | |||
|quote= | |||
|pubmedID=10195034 | |||
|pubmedCID= | |||
|DOI= | |||
|accessdate=2019-10-15 | |||
}}</ref> | |||
The idea that the foreskin is "dirty" or "unclean" is a scientifically unfounded superstition. The intact penis is naturally clean and maintains a level of hygiene that is optimal when compared to a penis that has been altered by circumcision. | The idea that the foreskin is "dirty" or "unclean" is a scientifically unfounded superstition. The intact penis is naturally clean and maintains a level of hygiene that is optimal when compared to a penis that has been altered by circumcision. | ||
| Line 219: | Line 241: | ||
|date=2003-09-07 | |date=2003-09-07 | ||
|accessdate=2019-10-20 | |accessdate=2019-10-20 | ||
}}</ref> | }}</ref> <ref name="fleiss-hodges-vanhowe1998" /> | ||
Apocrine glands also produce cytokine,<ref>{{REFjournal | Apocrine glands also produce cytokine,<ref>{{REFjournal | ||
| Line 257: | Line 279: | ||
}}</ref> | }}</ref> | ||
All of these function to sequester and “digest” foreign pathogens. All these substances play an important role in protecting the penis from viral and bacterial pathogens. The immunological functions of the human prepuce have been extensively documented by respected researchers for quite some time.<ref | All of these function to sequester and “digest” foreign pathogens. All these substances play an important role in protecting the penis from viral and bacterial pathogens. The immunological functions of the human prepuce have been extensively documented by respected researchers for quite some time.<ref name="fleiss-hodges-vanhowe1998" /> | ||
<!--In infancy, simple sugars in breast milk, like antibacterial oligosaccharides, are acquired from the mother's milk and excreted in urine. University studies have shown that these substances cling to the mucosal lining of the inner foreskin and protect against urinary tract infections,<ref>Hanson LA, Karlsson B, Jalil F, ''et al''. Antiviral and antibacterial factors in human milk. In: Hanson LA, ed. ''Biology of Human Milk''. New York Raven Press; 1988. pp. 141-57</ref> as well as infections in other parts of the body.<ref>Coppa GV, Gabrielli O, Giorgi P, Catassi C, Montanari MP, Veraldo PE, Nichols BL. Preliminary study of breast feeding and bacterial adhesion to uroepithelial cells. ''Lancet'' 1990 Mar 10;335(8689):569-71.</ref> Babies excrete in their urine about 300-500 milligrams of oligosaccharides each day. These compounds prevent virulent strains of ''Escherichia coli'' from adhering to the mucosal lining of the entire urinary tract, including the foreskin and glans. For these reasons breast-milk is highly efficacious at preventing UTI.<ref>Gothefors L, Olling S, Winberg J. Breastfeeding and biological properties of faecal ''E. coli'' strains. ''Acta Paediatr Scand'' 1975 Nov;54(6):807-12.</ref> Rigorous studies have repeatedly demonstrated that breast feeding protects against urinary tract infections.<ref>Mårild S. Breastfeeding and Urinary Tract Infections. ''Lancet'' 1990;336:942.</ref> <ref>Pisacane A, ''et al''. Breastfeeding and urinary tract infection. ''The Lancet'', July 7, 1990, p50 </ref> <ref>Pisacane A, Graziano L, Mazzarella G, ''et al''. Breast-feeding and urinary tract infection. ''J Pediatr'' 1992;120:87-89.</ref> | <!--In infancy, simple sugars in breast milk, like antibacterial oligosaccharides, are acquired from the mother's milk and excreted in urine. University studies have shown that these substances cling to the mucosal lining of the inner foreskin and protect against urinary tract infections,<ref>Hanson LA, Karlsson B, Jalil F, ''et al''. Antiviral and antibacterial factors in human milk. In: Hanson LA, ed. ''Biology of Human Milk''. New York Raven Press; 1988. pp. 141-57</ref> as well as infections in other parts of the body.<ref>Coppa GV, Gabrielli O, Giorgi P, Catassi C, Montanari MP, Veraldo PE, Nichols BL. Preliminary study of breast feeding and bacterial adhesion to uroepithelial cells. ''Lancet'' 1990 Mar 10;335(8689):569-71.</ref> Babies excrete in their urine about 300-500 milligrams of oligosaccharides each day. These compounds prevent virulent strains of ''Escherichia coli'' from adhering to the mucosal lining of the entire urinary tract, including the foreskin and glans. For these reasons breast-milk is highly efficacious at preventing UTI.<ref>Gothefors L, Olling S, Winberg J. Breastfeeding and biological properties of faecal ''E. coli'' strains. ''Acta Paediatr Scand'' 1975 Nov;54(6):807-12.</ref> Rigorous studies have repeatedly demonstrated that breast feeding protects against urinary tract infections.<ref>Mårild S. Breastfeeding and Urinary Tract Infections. ''Lancet'' 1990;336:942.</ref> <ref>Pisacane A, ''et al''. Breastfeeding and urinary tract infection. ''The Lancet'', July 7, 1990, p50 </ref> <ref>Pisacane A, Graziano L, Mazzarella G, ''et al''. Breast-feeding and urinary tract infection. ''J Pediatr'' 1992;120:87-89.</ref> | ||
| Line 290: | Line 293: | ||
[[Category:From Intactipedia]] | [[Category:From Intactipedia]] | ||
[[Category:From IntactWiki]] | [[Category:From IntactWiki]] | ||
[[Category:Foreskin anatomy]] | |||