O71394658
Aug 7th, 2003, 09:45 AM
It's not just size that matters
Thu Aug 7, 1:15 AM ET
LONDON (Reuters) - Size is usually more of an issue but the shape of the penis is also important because it evolved to dispel other men's semen, according to scientists in the United States.
Gordon Gallup and researchers at the State University of New York in Albany showed in experiments using latex replicas, an artificial vagina and a cornstarch mixture that the ridge of the penis acted as a semen displacement device.
"They found that the coronal ridge... could scoop out more than 90 percent of the cornstarch mixture (from the artificial vagina) with just one thrust, while a phallus with no coronal ridge only managed to remove 35 percent," New Scientist magazine said on Wednesday.
Gallup and his team, who reported their finding in the journal Evolution and Human Behaviour, said the depth of penetration was also important in expelling more semen.
Their findings were supported with surveys of students who were questioned about their sexual experiences.
"Sexual intercourse often involved deeper more vigorous penile thrusting following periods of separation or in response to allegations of female infidelity," they said.
Thu Aug 7, 1:15 AM ET
LONDON (Reuters) - Size is usually more of an issue but the shape of the penis is also important because it evolved to dispel other men's semen, according to scientists in the United States.
Gordon Gallup and researchers at the State University of New York in Albany showed in experiments using latex replicas, an artificial vagina and a cornstarch mixture that the ridge of the penis acted as a semen displacement device.
"They found that the coronal ridge... could scoop out more than 90 percent of the cornstarch mixture (from the artificial vagina) with just one thrust, while a phallus with no coronal ridge only managed to remove 35 percent," New Scientist magazine said on Wednesday.
Gallup and his team, who reported their finding in the journal Evolution and Human Behaviour, said the depth of penetration was also important in expelling more semen.
Their findings were supported with surveys of students who were questioned about their sexual experiences.
"Sexual intercourse often involved deeper more vigorous penile thrusting following periods of separation or in response to allegations of female infidelity," they said.