Steroid analysis of human apocrine secretion

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Human Physiology
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Human apocrine glands produce secretions linked to body odor.
• Androgen steroids are known components of axillary sweat.
• Previous studies identified specific odoriferous steroids in sweat.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the steroid composition of human apocrine gland secretions.
• To identify specific androgen steroids present in apocrine secretions.
• To investigate the presence or absence of delta16-androgen steroids.

Main Methods:

• Direct injection of apocrine secretion into a gas chromatograph.
• Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) for steroid characterization.
• Analysis of odorous steroids formed from the secretion.

Main Results:

• Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and androsterone sulfate were identified.
• These identified steroid sulfates are known androgen steroids.
• No spectral evidence for delta16-androgen steroids was found.
• Cholesterol was identified as the major steroid component.

Conclusions:

• Apocrine gland secretions contain specific androgen steroid sulfates.
• The absence of delta16-androgens suggests a different metabolic pathway or source.
• Cholesterol is a significant component of apocrine secretions, warranting further investigation.