"The Schiff-Positive, Nonglycogen Material" in the Human Eccrine Sweat Glands

Introduction Clincians and investigators who are interested in sweat-pore obstruction and the sweat-retention diseases (miliaria) are aware that the lumina of eccrine sweat ducts and "pores" contain a Schiff-positive, nonglycogen (diastase-resistant) material1-7(Fig. 1). They have speculated that this material may be significant in occluding the lumen of the eccrine sweat duct and pore. The study is concerned with the origin and the histochemical characterization of this Schiff-positive material. It was undertaken in order to better understand the function and structure of human eccrine sweat glands and to determine the significance of this material in sweat-retention phenomena and associated diseases. Materials and Methods The material for this study was obtained from 15 normal adult male volunteers. All biopsies were obtained from the back without anesthesia, with use of the high-speed, motor-driven rotary punch.9Specimens of the skin obtained following various types of experimental injury