Comparative Physiological Aspects of Solute Secretion by the Eccrine Sweat Gland of the Rat

Abstract

Sweat obtained from the sweat glands situated in the footpad of the rat was found to be a hypertonic solution with the following concentration of electrolytes (meq/liter): potassium, 149; sodium, 30; chloride, 80. Based on the descriptions of the fine structure of the rat sweat gland it is concluded that the “dark” (electron transparent cells of the secretory coil of the sweat are responsible for the secretion of potassium in sweat.