The local training effect of secretory activity on the response of eccrine sweat glands

Abstract

1. The influence of repeatedly raising the body temperature by radiant heat to a level at which acclimatization to heat is normally acquired was investigated in two series of experiments, the first without the subjects sweating, the second with sweating.2. In a second investigation local sweat-gland activity was induced by drug injections on successive days without raising the body temperature.3. These experiments show that the increased sweating capacity characteristic of acclimatization to heat is a result of sweat-gland activity and does not appear to be induced by or to depend on an elevated body temperature.4. Secretory activity results in a loss of glycogen from sweat-gland cells on the first day of heat exposure but not after the glands have been ;trained' by acclimatization to heat.5. The state of acclimatization has no influence on the threshold concentration of acetylcholine required to elicit sweating when injected intradermally.