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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 14, 2025

Measuring Skeletal Muscle Thermogenesis in Mice and Rats
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Human sweat contains oxytocin.

Orna Zagoory-Sharon1, Ari Levine1, Ruth Feldman1

  • 1Center for Developmental Social Neuroscience, Reichman University, Israel.

Psychoneuroendocrinology
|October 5, 2023
PubMed
Summary

Oxytocin (OT) is present in human sweat, detectable after intense exercise. Sweat OT levels were highest in the underarm and influenced by personality and solitary exercise settings.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Human Physiology
  • Social Neuroscience

Background:

  • Oxytocin (OT) is found in various bodily fluids, including blood, urine, saliva, breastmilk, and spinal fluid.
  • Skin cells express OT and its receptor, suggesting a role for skin as a social organ.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and measurement feasibility of oxytocin (OT) in human sweat.
  • To explore factors influencing OT levels in sweat.

Main Methods:

  • Collected sweat samples from 553 participants across three experiments involving various sports and exercise durations.
  • Assayed OT and testosterone (TS) in sweat and saliva samples.
  • Analyzed sweat and saliva following physical activity in solitary and social settings.
Keywords:
ExtractionOTPhysical activitySalivaSkinSocial conditionSweatTestosterone

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Main Results:

  • Sufficient sweat for OT analysis required at least 25 minutes of intense activity.
  • Axillary sweat showed the highest OT concentrations compared to other body sites.
  • Solitary sports activity correlated with higher sweat OT levels, particularly in extroverted individuals.

Conclusions:

  • This study confirms the presence of oxytocin (OT) in human sweat for the first time.
  • Measurement of OT in sweat is feasible, opening avenues for further research.
  • Future research should explore the impact of personality and social context on sweat OT and the skin's role in OT production.