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Glossary Apocrine Glands

secrete thicker sweat in hair-rich areas, causing body odor

Apocrine glands are a type of sweat gland found primarily in areas with abundant hair follicles, such as the armpits and groin. Unlike the more common eccrine sweat glands, apocrine glands secrete a thicker, milky fluid that, when broken down by bacteria on the skin, can produce body odor. These glands become active during puberty and are influenced by hormonal changes.

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research Histochemical and Immunohistochemical Markers for Human Eccrine and Apocrine Sweat Glands: An Aid for Histopathologic Differentiation of Sweat Gland Tumors

73 citations , November 2001 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings”

This review examines histochemical and immunohistochemical markers to differentiate apocrine and eccrine sweat glands, highlighting their distinct markers, though it reports no new clinical findings.

research Multipotent Nestin-Positive Stem Cells Reside in the Stroma of Human Eccrine and Apocrine Sweat Glands and Can Be Propagated Robustly In Vitro

33 citations , October 2013 in “PloS one”

This study found that human sweat glands contain unique stem cells with significant multilineage differentiation potential and self-renewal abilities, suggesting promising clinical applications due to easy biopsy access.

research Apocrine sweat gland obstruction by antiperspirants allowing transdermal absorption of cutaneous generated hormones and pheromones as a link to the observed incidence rates of breast and prostate cancer in the 20th century

18 citations , March 2009 in “Medical Hypotheses”

This review discusses the potential link between long-term transdermal exposure to sex hormones from antiperspirants and increased breast and prostate cancer rates, calling for further research to confirm this theory.

research Stage-Specific Embryonic Antigen-4 (SSEA-4) as a Distinguishing Marker between Eccrine and Apocrine Origin of Ducts of Sweat Glands

3 citations , July 2017 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study found that SSEA-4 is a marker that distinguishes eccrine from apocrine ductal cells in human sweat glands, suggesting its potential use in diagnostic applications.

research Scalp Apocrine Glands: The Neglected Component of the Hair Follicle Complex

December 2025 in “Skin Appendage Disorders”

This review explores the under-researched role of apocrine glands in the human scalp, suggesting they may play a significant part in waste removal, electrolyte balance, interaction with the microbiome, and the pathogenesis of follicular occlusion diseases, despite being often overlooked.

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