Skip to main content

Abstract

The two major objectives of the function of the human sweat glands are:

  1. 1.

    To assist in the maintenance of body temperature through the evaporation of the sweat on the surface of the skin.

  2. 2.

    To aid in the maintenance of water, electrolyte, and nitrogen balance by excretion of excess water, electrolytes, and nitrogenous compounds.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Selected Reading—Human Sweat

  • Rothman, S., Physiology and Biochemistry of the Skin, Univ. of Chicago Press, Chicago, Illinois (1954).

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, S. A., Ed. Skin and Internal Disease, McGraw-Hill, New York (1968). Kuno, Y., Human Perspiration, C. C. Thomas, Springfield, Illinois (1956).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hurley, H. J.and Shelley, W. B.,The Human Apocrine Sweat Gland in Health and

    Google Scholar 

  • Disease,C. C. Thomas, Springfield, Illinois (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  • Carruthers, C., Biochemistry of the Skin in Health and Disease, C. C. Thomas, Springfield, Illinois (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  • Sulzberger, M. B. and Herrmann, F., The Clinical Significance of Disturbances in the Delivery of Sweat, C. C. Thomas, Springfield, Illinois (1954).

    Google Scholar 

  • Allen, A. C., Ed., Skin, 2nd ed., Grune and Stratton, New York (1966).

    Google Scholar 

Reference

  1. Perry, T. L., Hansen, S., Diamond, S., Bullis, B., Mok, C., and Melancon, S. B., Volatile fatty acids in normal human physiological fluids, Clin. Chim. Acta 29: 369–374 (1970).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Cage, G. W. and Dobson, R. L., Sodium secretion and reabsorption in the human eccrine sweat gland, J. Clin. Invest. 44: 1270–1276 (1965).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Sato, K., Dobson, R. L., and Mali, J. W. H., Enzymatic basis for the active transport of sodium in the eccrine and sweat gland. Localization and characterization of Na K adenosine triphosphatase, J. Invest. Derm. 57: 10–16 (1971).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Levi, J., Rosenfeld, J. B., Hansel, Z., and Elian, E., Relationship of sweat sodium concentration to blood pressure in control subjects and in patients with essential and renal hypertension, Israel J. Med. Sci. 6: 665–668 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  5. Ratner, A. C. and Dobson, R. L., The effect of antidiuretic hormone on sweating, J. Invest. Derm. 43: 379–381 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  6. Dobson, R. L., The human eccrine sweat gland. Structural and functional interrelationships, Arch. Environ. Health (Chicago) 11: 423–429 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  7. Dobson, R. L. and Abele, D. C., The correlation of structure and function in the human eccrine sweat gland, Trans. Assoc. Am. Physicians 75: 242–252 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  8. Hurley, H. J. and Witkowski, J. A., The dynamics of eccrine sweating in man. I. Sweat delivery through myoepithelial contraction, J. Invest. Derm. 39: 329–338 (1962).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Hashimoto, K., Gross, B. G., and Lever, W. F., An electron microscopic study of the adult human apocrine duct, J. Invest. Denis. 46: 6–11 (1966); Electron microscopic study of the human adult eccrine gland. I. The duct, J. Invest. Dermatol. 46: 172–185 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  10. Munger, B. L., The ultrastructure and histophysiology of human eccrine sweat glands, J. Biophys. Biochem. Cytol. 11: 385–402 (1961).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Kennard, D. W., The nervous regulation of the sweating apparatus of the human skin and emotive sweating in thermal sweating area, J. Physiol. (London) 165: 457–467 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  12. Collins, J. K. and Weiner, J. S., Axon reflex sweating, Clin. Sci. 21: 333–344 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  13. Gordon, B. I. and Maibach, H. I., On the mechanism of the inactive eccrine human sweat gland, Arch. Dermatol. 97: 66–68 (1968).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. van Beaumont, W. and Bullard, R. W., Sweating: its rapid response to muscular work, Science 141: 643–646 (1963).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Gordon, R. S. Jr. and Cage, G. W., Mechanism of water and electrolyte secretions by the eccrine sweat glands, Lancet 1: 1246–1250 (1966).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Furman, K. I. and Beer, G., Dynamic changes in sweat electrolyte composition induced by heat stress as an indication of acclimatization and aldosterone activity, Clin. Sci. 24: 7–12 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  17. Wyndham, C. H., Effect of acclimatization of the sweat rate/rectal temperature relationship, J. Appl. Physiol. 22: 27–30 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  18. Sigal, C. B. and Dobson, R. L., The effect of salt intake on sweat gland function, J. Invest. Dermatol. 50: 451–455 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  19. Coltman, C. A. Jr. and Atwell, R. J., The electrolyte composition of normal adult sweat, Am. Rev. Resp.-Dis. 93: 62–69 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  20. Komives, G. K., Robinson, S., and Roberts, J. T., Urea transfer across the sweat glands, J. Appl. Physiol. 21: 1681–1684 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  21. Collins, K. J., The action of exogenous aldosterone on the secretion and composition of drug-induced sweat, Clin. Sci. 30: 207–221 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  22. Shuster, S., Adrenal control of eccrine sweat secretion, Proc. Roy. Soc. Med. 55: 719–720 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  23. Pazram, G., et al., Modification of sweat electrolytes by spironolactones in secondary hyperaldosteronism, Z. Ges. Inn. Med. 20: 585–589 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  24. Mangos, J., Transductal fluxes of Na, K, and water in the human eccrine sweat gland, Am. J. Physiol. 224: 1235–1240 (1973).

    Google Scholar 

  25. Grandchamp, A., Scherrer, J. R., Veyrat, R., and Muller, A. F., Assessment of the mineralocorticoid function by quantitative determination of Na and K in the sweat, Hely. Med. Acta (Suppl.) 48: 123 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  26. Emrich, H. M., Stoll, E., Friolet, B., Colombo, J. P., Richterich, R., and Rossi, E., Sweat composition in relation to rate of sweating in patients with cystic fibrosis of the pancreas, Pediat. Res. b: 464–478 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  27. Brusilow, S. W. and Gordes, E. H., Ammonia secretion in sweat, Am. J. Physiol. 214: 513–517 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  28. Johnston, M. C., Ed., Problems in cystic fibrosis, Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 93:485624 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  29. Anderson, D. H., Cystic fibrosis of pancreas and its relation to celiac disease. A clinical and pathological study, Am. J. Dis. Child. 56: 344–399 (1938).

    Google Scholar 

  30. Andrews, B. F., Bruton, O. C., and Knoblock, E. C., Sweat chloride concentration in children with allergy and with cystic fibrosis of the pancreas, Pediatrics 29: 204–208 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  31. Cage, G. W., Dobson, R. L., and Waller, R., Sweat gland function is cystic fibrosis, J. Clin. Invest. 45: 1373–1378 (1966).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Shwachman, H. and Mahmoodian, A., The sweat test in cystic fibrosis. A comparison of overnight sweat collection versus the pilocarpine iontophoresis method, J. Pediat. 69: 285–287 (1966).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Madoff, L., Elevated sweat chlorides and hypothyroidism, J. Pediat. 73: 244–246 (1968).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Seutter, E. and Mali, J. W., Mucopolysaccharides in sweat, Clin. Chim. Acta 12: 17–21 (1965).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Biserte, G., Havez, R., and Cuvelier, R., The glycoproteins of bronchial secretions, Expos. Ann. Biochim. Med. 24: 85–120 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  36. Louisot, P. and Levrat, C., A new pathogenic hypothesis for cystic fibrosis hyperactivity of glycosyl transferases at microsome level, Clin. Chim. Acta 48: 373–376 (1973).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Hager, Malecka, B. and Szezepanski, Z., Detection of mucoviscidosis hetero-zygotes by the bromide sweat test, Pol. Tyg. Lek. 24: 792–794 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  38. Szczepanski, Z. and Hager-Maleckal, B., Determination of bromide in the sweat after oral administration of bromide preparations, Pol. Med. J. 6: 1507–1511 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  39. Wilson, G. B., John, T. L., and Fonseca, J. R., Demonstration of serum protein differences in cystic fibrosis by isoelectric focusing in thin layer polyacrylamide gels, Clin. Chim. Acta 49: 79–91 (1973).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Lewis, J. M., Bodansky, O., Birmingham, J., and Cohlan, S. Q., Comparative absorption, excretion and storage of oily and aqueous preparations of Vitamin A, J. Pediat. 31: 496–508 (1947).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Andersen, D. H. and Early, M. V., Method of assaying trypsin suitable for routine use in diagnosis of congenital pancreatic deficiency, Am. J. Dis. Child. 63: 891 (1942).

    Google Scholar 

  42. Elam, J. F. and Palmer, R. E., An automated procedure for the determination of sweat electrolytes, Am. J. Clin. Pathol. 46: 65–68 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  43. Jirka, M., Techniques of sweat collection in localized sweating by pilocarpine iontophoresis, Clin. Chim. Acta 11: 78–81 (1965).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Szabo, L., Kenny, M. A., and Less, W., Direct measurement of chloride in sweat with an ion selective electrode, Clin. Chem. 19: 727–730 (1973).

    Google Scholar 

  45. Coltman, C. A., Jr., Rowe, N. J., and Atwell, R. J., The amino acid content of sweat in normal adults, Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 18: 373–378 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  46. Hungerland, H. and Liappis, N., Study of the free amino acids in human exocrine sweat, Klin. Wschr. 50: 973–976 (1972).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Miklaszewska, M., Comparative studies of free amino acids eccrine in sweat and plasma, Pol. Med. J. 7: 1313–1318 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  48. Prasad, A. S., Schulert, A. R., Sandstead, H. H., Miale, A., Jr., and Farid, Z., Zinc, iron, and nitrogen content of sweat in normal and deficient subjects, J. Lab. Clin. Med. 62: 84–89 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  49. Calloway, D. H., Odell, A. C. F., and Margen, S., Sweat and miscellaneous nitrogen losses in human balance studies, J. Nutr. 101: 775–786 (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  50. Cier, J. F., Manuel, Y., and Lacour, J. R., Electrophoretic studies of the proteins of human sweat with paper, gel and immunoelectrophoresis, Comfit. Rend. Soc. Biol. 157: 1623–1626 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  51. Fraki, J. E., Jansen, C. T., and Hopsu Havu, V. K., Human sweat kallikrein. Biochemical demonstration and chromatographic separation from several other esteropeptidases in the sweat, Acta Dermatol. Venereol. 50: 321–326 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  52. Page, C. O., Jr. and Remington, J. S., Immunologic studies in normal human sweat, J. Lab. Clin. Med. 69: 634–650 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  53. Jirka, M. and Masopust, J., Immunochemical behavior of proteins in human sweat, Biochem. Biophys. Acta 71: 217–218 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  54. Astrand, I., Lactate content in sweat, Acta Physiol. Scand. 58: 359–367 (1963).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  55. Brown, G. and Dobson, R. L., Sweat sodium excretion in normal women, J. Appl. Physiol. 23: 97–99 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  56. Consolazio, C. F., Matoush, L. O., Nelson, R. A., Isaac, G. J., and Canham, J. E., Comparisons of nitrogen, calcium and iodine excretion in arm and total body sweat, Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 18: 443–448 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  57. Ahlmann, K. L., Eränkö, O., Karvonen, M. J., and Leppänen, V., Mineral composition of thermal sweat in healthy persons, J. Clin. Endocrinol. 13: 773–782 (1953).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  58. Levin, S., Shapira, E., Garin, T., Seligson, S., and Strassberg, D., Effect of age, ethnic background and disease on sweat chlorides, Israel J. Med. Sci. 2: 333–337 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  59. Danton, R. A. and Nyhan, W. L., Concentrations of uric acid in the sweat of control and mongoloid children, Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 121: 270–271 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  60. Coltman, C. A., Jr. and Rowe, N. J., The iron content of sweat in normal adults, Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 18: 270–274 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1975 Plenum Press, New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Natelson, S., Natelson, E.A. (1975). The Sweat Glands. In: Principles of Applied Clinical Chemistry Chemical Background and Medical Applications. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-2745-5_13

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-2745-5_13

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4684-2747-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4684-2745-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics