Sweat production in the isolated eccrine sweat gland of the rat

A method has been developed to isolate a single rat eccrine sweat gland, together with the attached sweat duct, and to induce sweat secretion directly from the gland in vitro. Sweat production was induced using carbachol (2 X 10(-5) M to 3 X 10(-5) M) and methacholine (2 X 10(-5) M) in isolated plantar sweat glands maintained in a suitable environment (modified Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate at 38 degrees C containing 30% w/v fresh rat serum). The output of sweat was measured every 5 minutes for 85 minutes and the maximal final volume obtained with any one gland was 23 nl. Sweat production ceased on administration of appropriate concentrations of atropine (1 X 10(-5) M to 5 X 10(-5) M), withdrawal of calcium ions from the bathing fluid, and reduction of the medium temperature to 4 degrees C.