The author observed cytochemically the effect of the pilocarpine administration of the plantar sweat gland of the cat, comparing the results obtained in the cases with and without the pilocarpine injection, by applying the detecting procedures for acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, protein and glycogen and the iron-hematoxylin technique.
The presence of the cells of the two different types, the superficial and the basal cells, which was described by Ito and his collaborator on the human eccrine sweat glands, has been ascertained cytochemically by the author also on the cat eccrine sweat glands. These cells can be distinguished cytochemically by the difference of the intensities of the acid phosphatase activity. The differentiation of these cells from each other is not appreciably distinct by the alkaline phosphatase technique, and it is impossible by the protein and the glycogen stain procedures.
After the administration of pilocarpine by injection, the most distinct changes are seen in the alkaline phosphatase activity and the glycogen contents, and the acid phosphatase activity and the stain reaction by the iron-hematoxylin technique change moderately. Generally these changes are remarkable in the basal cells.
From. these findings the author concludes that the basal cells have also a secretory function as well as the superficial cells, and play a certain roll in the perspiration caused by the pilocarpine injection.
The stainability of protein, is not influenced by the pilocarpine perspiration, showing no change in the cytomorphological features.
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