Differences between Apocrine and Eccrine sweat glands

June 26, 2022

S.N	Apocrine glands	S.N	Eccrine glands
1.	Present in only limited areas like axilla, pubis, areola and umbilicus.	1.	Present throughout the body.
2.	Opens into the hair follicle.	2.	Opens to exterior through sweat pore.
3.	Functioning starts only at puberty.	3.	Function remains throughout the life from time of birth.
4.	Thick and milky secretions.	4.	Clear and watery secretions.
5.	No role in temperature regulation in body.	5.	Important role in regulation of body temperature.
6.	During emotional conditions, its secretion increases.	6.	During increased temperature and emotional conditions, its secretion increases.
7.	Secretion under hormonal control.	7.	Secretions under nervous control.
8.	Sympathetic adrenergic fibers are the main nerve supply.	8.	Sympathetic cholinergic fibers are the main nerve supply.
9.	Secretory portion is mostly in subcutaneous layer.	9.	Secretory portion is mostly in deep dermis.
10.	Secretions component similar to eccrine gland along with lipids and proteins.	10.	Secretions contain mostly water, sodium and chloride ions, urea, uric acid, ammonia, amino acids, glucose, lactic acid.
11.	Simple columnar epithelium makes the secretory unit.	11.	Mixed clear cells and dark cells make the secretory unit.
12.	Secretions produce body odor.	12	Secretions produce cooling effect in the body.
13.	Secretory cell has diameter of 800 micrometer.	13.	Secretory cell has diameter of 500-700 micrometer.
14.	Diameter of this gland is 80-100 micrometer.	14.	Diameter of this gland is 30-40 micrometer.