Circumcised men can breathe a bit easier.

According to a recent study at Queen's University in Ontario, the brit milah appears to make no difference to penile sensitivity.

It also challenges the widely-held notion that the foreskin is the most sensitive part of the penis.

Published in the Journal of Urology's June issue, the study took 62 men aged 18-37 - 30 circumcised soon after birth, 32 still intact - and tested their penises for heat and pain sensitivity thresholds, as well as tactile response.

And, despite continued debate on the merits of male circumcision, scientists found no real difference between the cut and uncut.

"This study represents just one small piece on the puzzle," lead author Jennifer Bossio told the JC.

The study did not specifically address how circumcision affects sexual functioning.

But, she said, "it's important in that it's starting to bring attention to the sexual implications of circumcision, something that - up until now - there hadn't been a lot of good quality research on."

Only two other studies, both from 2006, have examined penile sensitivity after circumcision.

The first one reported the same findings as Queen's University. The second said foreskins were most sensitive to "fine touch".

Ms Bossio said her study confirmed that, but also found other parts of the penis more sensitive "using other measures of sensitivity".

"This study challenges past research suggesting that the foreskin is the most sensitive part of the adult penis," the Queen's scientists said in their report. The authors hoped "to initiate a shift toward more empirically rigorous research exploring the impact of neonatal circumcision on the sexual lives of men".

Is Ms Bossio ever mocked by friends over her area of study? "Let's just say that conversations about my research never fail to intrigue others at parties," she said.