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. 2001 May;94(5):236-7.
doi: 10.1177/014107680109400509.

Why do we have apocrine and sebaceous glands?

A M Porter  1
Affiliations

Why do we have apocrine and sebaceous glands?

A M Porter. J R Soc Med. 2001 May.

Abstract

The secretions of sebaceous and apocrine glands fulfil an important thermoregulatory role in cold-stressed and heat-stressed hunter-gatherers. In hot conditions the secretions emulsify eccrine sweat and thus encourage the formation of a sweat sheet and discourage the formation and loss of sweat drops from the skin. In colder conditions sebum changes its nature and repels rain from skin and hair.

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References

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