Editing Smegma (section)

==Other animals==
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]]''.<ref>
{{cite journal
 |last1=Chen |first1=X. G.
 |last2=Li |first2=J.
 |year=2001
 |title=Increasing the sensitivity of PCR detection in bovine preputial smegma spiked with ''Tritrichomonas foetus'' by the addition of agar and resin
 |journal=Parasitology Research
 |volume=87 |issue=7 |pages=556–558
 |doi=10.1007/s004360100401
 |pmid=11484853
 |s2cid=7671511
 |name-list-style=vanc
}}</ref> Accumulation of smegma in the [[equine]] [[foreskin|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]].<ref>Primary Industries Ministerial Council of Australia and New Zealand (2002). [http://www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au/fms/Animal%20Health%20Australia/AUSVETPLAN/cemfinal.pdf Disease strategy: Contagious equine metritis] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080721001616/http://www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au/fms/Animal%20Health%20Australia/AUSVETPLAN/cemfinal.pdf |date=2008-07-21 }} (Version 1.0). In: Australian Veterinary Emergency Plan (AUSVETPLAN), Edition 3, PIMCANZ, Canberra, ACT.</ref> Some equine veterinarians have recommended [[horse sheath cleaning|periodic cleaning of male genitals]] to improve the health of the animal.<ref>{{cite web |first1=Michael |last1=Lowder |date=1 September 2001 |url=http://www.horsecity.com/stories/090101/hea_beans_ML.shtml |title=A Clean Sheath Is A Healthy Sheath |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050914114048/http://www.horsecity.com/stories/090101/hea_beans_ML.shtml |archive-date=14 September 2005 |work=Horse City }}</ref>